It utilised components from the highly successful 504 but added an extra set of wings and a new deep fuselage housing a fully enclosed cabin to seat four passengers.

The prototype flew well, having similar characteristics to a 504,[1] the second example built was substantially modified, in order to compete in a British Air Ministry competition for a commercial aircraft, being fitted with a 240 hp (180 kW) Siddeley Puma engine.

Designated 547A, this version turned out to be slow and unstable in the air and failed to win an award in the competition in August 1920.

[2] Despite this, Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services (QANTAS) bought the first prototype in November 1920 for GBP 2,798 with the intention of using it on a route between Charleville and Katherine.

The 547 proved utterly unsuited to outback conditions and was quickly decommissioned, its fuselage ending its days as a chicken coop in Sydney.