Triton 2 was the first of the hydroplane series detailed in the Model Engineer, yet it seemed strange that there was no Triton 1. It was thought that a line drawing discovered on the back of a Westbury engine plan may have been for an earlier boat, but there was no evidence that it had ever been constructed until the discovery of the album. A series of pictures showed Triton 1, with the same 5cc diesel engine that was to be used later in a tethered car. The hull matched the line drawing found on the plan, and so Doug Reynolds’ engine and boat building proved to have started earlier than his family had previously believed.

Triton 1 was based on the Westbury 24" hydroplane design, constructed in traditional lines with frames and stringers. The single step hull was unusual in that the front plane was rounded, rather than flat as was more common. The diesel engine was still in its infancy and this 5cc version was based on the early Atlas and Sparey designs. Being a diesel, there was no need for batteries or ignition components, and with an integral tank, the result was a very simple installation. The relatively low power of the engine and resultant performance may well have been the spur that led to the well documented Triton 2 and it’s sophisticated four stroke engine.