United Kingdom
Norman Thompson
Norman Thompson flying boats were typical of British naval aircraft in World War One, being built by craftsmen from high quality materials. Initially as White & Thompson, it began developing aircraft before the war and progressed into flying boat design in cooperation with Glenn Curtiss, for whose designs it held a licence.
On the outbreak of war, it was given contracts for other company's types before beginning production of its own flying boats and the 'Bognor Bloater' landplane. The N.T.2 series saw postwar service in Canada, Peru, Estonia and Japan.
Reportedly the machinations of Curtiss and the Admiralty eventually ruined the company. John Porte, the hero of flying boat development in the RNAS, ended up with a corruption trial hanging over him for his activities as both a Naval officer and an agent of Curtiss.
Factory shut-down during WWII
