[1] As the First World War raged through 1914 and 1915, The Admiralty demanded engines with more power for its existing and future aircraft.

The problem was exemplified by the Short Type 184 seaplanes of the RNAS, powered by Sunbeam Mohawk engines, which could barely lift the standard air-dropped torpedo with crew reduced to two and minimal fuel.

Output from the Cossack was 310 hp (231 kW) at 2,000rpm, with a running weight of 1,372.5 lb (623 kg), driving a large diameter propeller through a 2:1 reduction gear.

Construction of the Cossack was largely of aluminium alloy with cast-iron cylinder blocks and integral heads in groups of three.

Despite the high output the Amazon was little used in Britain, with only possible use aboard Coastal airships and some supplied to the Imperial Russian Air Service.

[1] Development paths favoured by Coatalen included increasing the bore and Aluminium alloy cylinder blocks.

This engine used Cossack blocks in a W arrangement with 60° between banks having a capacity of 33.6 L (2,050 cu in) giving 450 hp (336 kW) at a propeller speed of 900 rpm.

Developed in two versions, the Sunbeam Matabele I, for aviation use, was fitted with four magnetos to provide redundancy for the dual ignition system, whilst the Sunbeam Matabele II was only fitted with two magnetos supplying a single ignition system for non-aviation use.

[1] A pair of Matabele engines were found in the Sunbeam works at Wolverhampton, previously from the ill-fated Maple Leaf VII powerboat.