This proved underpowered, and Shorts, therefore, constructed a new aircraft for McClean, using a 160 hp (120 kW) Gnome Double Lambda two-row rotary engine.
After reassembly at the Naval Dockyard in Alexandria, McClean, Alec Ogilvie, Horace Short and the expedition mechanic Gus Smith flew the 255 mi (410 km) to Cairo on 2 January 1914.
This was the limit of the aircraft's range, and Spottiswoode had to establish a set of fuel dumps at 120 mi (190 km) intervals along the planned route.
After two days rest they started the next stage, which followed the course of the Nile round the Great Bend in order to see the second, third and fourth cataracts: this was interrupted by an encounter with a violent dust-storm, which forced McClean to land, damaging one wingtip.
On leaving Abu Hamed an oil-pump failed: a landing was made on the river and the aircraft was taxied to Shereyk, where the party waited until a spare pump could be sent.
The front elevator was deleted, and the nacelle was modified to a side-by side two-seater layout with dual controls, the space formerly occupied by the other two seats now being used for the fuel tank.