 He was involved in the air raid on Zeppelin sheds near Lake Constance made in November 1914.He was able to sell his share in the aviation firm to Scott-Paine in early 1916, who renamed the firm Supermarine Aviation Works Limited after the company's telegraphic address.As a man of means, Billing contested the Mile End by-election in 1916 as an independent candidate, but was not successful.