[1] However, when Frank McClean was later shown the design by Horace Short, he asked for one to be built for him, to be powered by a 70 hp (52 kW) Gnome Gamma engine.

As first built, the aircraft was an unequal-span two-seater two-bay biplane, with ailerons fitted to the top wing only.

The centre section of the lower wing was left uncovered, as was the fuselage aft of the cockpit: the cockpit section of the fuselage was covered with plywood, with aluminium panels at the front enclosing the fuel tanks and extending forwards to form the cowling for the front-mounted 70 hp (52 kW) Gnome Lambda engine.

The undercarriage consisted of a pair of wheels below the wing leading edge, supplemented by skids extending forward to protect the propeller in case of a nose-over, and a single sprung tailskid mounted under the rear of the fuselage.

A.M. Longmore with a mechanic as passenger, landing because the engine was beginning to lose power: there was enough fuel for a further 2 1/2 hours flight,[4] winning the Mortimer Singer Prize for naval officers.