[2] In 1927, the British Air Ministry issued Specification 26/27 for a DH.9A replacement which, to save money, had to use as many components of the DH.9A as possible because the RAF held large stocks of DH.9A spares.

Vickers submitted the Type 131 design to the Ministry but, as it did not make use of the required DH9A components, did not receive a contract for a prototype.

It was powered by a 492 hp (367 kW) Bristol Jupiter engine, and the crew of two sat in separate but adjacent cockpits, giving good communication between the pilot and observer.

Its initial tests showed it to possess good handling,[7] and was taken forwards for squadron trials, along with the Ferret, IIIF and Wapiti.

While no production followed, Chile purchased the prototype,[1] which entered service with the School of Aviation, being destroyed in a crash on 29 March 1929.