In 1920 she was "demilitarised" and given over to civilian work with the civil registration "G-FAAG". This work consisted of trials of new mast mooring techniques using the mast erected at Pulham. On one occasion winds of were successfully withstood while moored. Another experiment was an ascent carrying a pilotless Sopwith Camel which was successfully launched over the Yorkshire Moors. After an overhaul, R33 was based at Croydon Airport, moored to a portable mast. In June 1921 it was used by the Metropolitan Police to observe traffic at The Derby, and in July she appeared in the Hendon Air Pageant before flying to Cardington, Bedfordshire, where she was laid up for three years.