When re-engined with more powerful and reliable water-cooled V-8 engines, the F.B.16 demonstrated good performance, but only a few prototypes were built, the type not entering service.

[1] Vickers planned several aircraft around the promising new engine, including a tractor configuration single-seat fighter designed by Rex Pierson, the F.B.16.

It had a volumous, elliptical section fuselage, with the pilot sitting in an open cockpit above the lower wing and the Hart engine enclosed in a cowling.

"[8] Officials were less impressed with the FB.16D, however, it being criticised for structural problems and maintenance access, being described as "not considered suitable in its present form for active service".

[9] Vickers again redesigned the F.B.16, fitting it with two-bay wings of longer (31 foot (9.45 m)) span and a 275 hp (205 kW) Lorraine-Dietrich 8 Bd engine as the FB.16E.