The British Military and the British Navy felt the need for a potential Aircraft observation platform during the early part of the last century.
The first role of the Royal Air Force was to undertake reconnaissance and artillery observation.
Experiment had been carried out by the Royal Flying Corps before world war one with arming aircraft without any success.
The Royal Flying Corps faced a uphill battle facing a enemy with a much better aircraft in regards to operating the aircraft and having better training facilities.
The weather conditions also favoured the Germans during the early stages of world war one who also at the time has far superior equipped aircraft than the British.
The first world war saw substantial losses to the British, with the British losing an average to four aircraft to one one the enemies.
The Royal Flying corps continued to strengthen during the first world war and continues to prove air superiority later during the Battle of Britain in World War Two.