large numbers of hs boats were also used by us navy forces in france, with deliveries starting on may 24, 1918, flying their first patrols on june 13. about 160 hs-1ls and -2ls were deployed to france. following the armistice, the hs boats based in europe were scrapped apart from four aircraft based in the azores, which were acquired by portugal, while the us naval air service shrank considerably, with many naval air stations closing, resulting in considerable numbers of hs boats becoming surplus to requirements and available for sale at $200 to $500 without engines. hs-2ls continued in use by the us navy as a patrol aircraft and a trainer until 1928.