Armstrong Whitworth Sissit

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The Armstrong Whitworth Sissit, also called the Armstrong Whitworth F.K.1, was a prototype single‑engine biplane fighter from World War I. It was the first aircraft built by Armstrong Whitworth, but it was underpowered and only one was made.

In 1913 the British War Office asked Armstrong Whitworth to make aircraft and engines for the Army. The company set up an aircraft department and hired Dutch designer Frederick Koolhoven, who had been chief engineer at Deperdussin.

Koolhoven designed a small, single‑seat scout: a single‑bay tractor biplane with balanced elevators and no fixed tailplane. It was intended to use an 80 hp Gnome 7 Lambda engine, but only a 50 hp Gnome 7 Omega could be obtained.

The Sissit first flew in September 1914, but with the weaker engine it was underpowered. It was later fitted with a fixed tailplane and larger ailerons.

With faster, more capable single‑seat scouts like the Sopwith Tabloid and Bristol Scout already available, there was no further development of the Sissit.