In June 1918 during the First World War, there was a confrontation between English and German seaplanes in the Wadden Islands, including Felixstowes. But a Curtiss plane from the English RNAS was also involved and made an emergency landing at sea on June 4, 1918 after a hit. Went ashore at Vlieland but, before it could be set on fire by the crew, it was confiscated by Dutch soldiers on the spot. The chest was interned and formally purchased at the end of 1918. This Curtiss was a H-12A and had a 350 hp Rolls Royce Eagle VIII engine. It belonged to the RNAS and had the serial number 8689. Several Curtiss H-12's were modified with a Felixstowe F.2A Hull, the 8689 had originally fins, as shown in the detail.
It went on service with the MLD with the number L-2.
