The Type D,[2] a wooden, fabric-covered single-seat monoplane powered by a 50 hp (37 kW) Gnome rotary engine, was built for Cyril Foggin in 1912.

[4] Harold Blackburn first flew the plane in December 1912, and used the Type D for a series of demonstration flights from Lofthouse Park, situated between Leeds and Wakefield, from March to May 1913.

[8][9] Blackburn also flew to neighbouring towns: to Stamford, dropping leaflets; to Harrogate, where he landed; and on three successive days in late July to York, carrying bundles of the Leeds-printed Yorkshire Post.

Glew gave flying demonstrations at towns in the English countryside, with several crashes,[11] and on at least one occasion was involved in air racing (from Cardiff to Ilfracombe, cancelled due to weather).

Almost all of the restored aircraft was original apart from the main wing spars, engine cowling, some minor wooden pieces and the fabric.

The restored Type D flew on 17 September 1947, and still flies on quiet days with the Shuttleworth Collection, Britain's oldest active aircraft.