[1] Just before the outbreak of war small orders were placed by the Royal Flying Corps among private firms for untried types of single-seater fighters, including the Martinsyde scout.

Various Squadrons received two or three Martinsydes to escort reconnaissance aircraft and bomber missions.

It was reported to be unstable, and it was the aircraft Captain Louis Strange was flying in a combat with a German two-seater, when one of the oddest incidents of WW1 took place.

However, he held on with one hand to the spade grip of the gun, and somehow managed to hook one leg into the cockpit, then the other.

The German crew, convinced they saw their opponent fall out, claimed a kill, and were (so it was said by the ace, Bruno Loerzer, who was based in the area), ribbed afterwards, when no wreckage was found.