The Short Type 166 was designed as a 'folder' aircraft to operate from the Ark Royal as a torpedo-bomber.

Six aircraft, known within Shorts as the Type A, were originally ordered before the outbreak of World War I, and were assigned the Admiralty serial numbers 161 to 166.

It was powered by a nose-mounted 200 hp (149 kW) Salmson engine.

There was also a Lewis gun in the rear cockpit, that was operated by the observer.

[1] Data from Westland History,[2] Barnes & James[3]General characteristics Performance