Between 1910 and 1966 British aircraft design fell into certain distinct periods, each of which, more or less irrespective of the number and arrangement of the power units, may be recognised by its common structural pattern. In each period, as might be expected, there were exceptions to the contemporary common pattern, often only experimental, or built in srrall numbers.

In the first period, which lasted until about 1924, wirebraced wood airframe structures were the common pattern.