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| Sopwith
Triplane |
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No.
8(N) Sqn RNAS
March 1917
Source: Crundall - Fighter Pilot
on the Western Front
Image: © R. N. Pearson |
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| It was the astonishing success of
the Sopwith Triplane that induced Anthony
Fokker to try the novel layout with
what became the Dr.1. The theory on
which the triplane was based being that
the decreased span and increased wing
area would benefit manouverability and
climb at the same time. An ideal flying
machine with qualities similar to the
earlier Pup, the Triplane was produced
in 1916 for the R.F.C., but early in
1917 this service expressed a preference
for the new SPAD 7, used by the R.N.A.S.
Surprisingly the R.N.A.S. offered to
exchange their SPADs for the Triplane
and the unique exchange duly took place.
In the hands of naval pilots, the 'Tripehound'
worked wonders and became so well liked
that the pilots were reluctant to part
with them when the replacement Camels
arrived later in the year. |
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| SPECIFICATIONS |
| Country: |
Great Britain |
| Manufacturer: |
Sopwith Aviation Company |
| Type: |
Fighter |
| First
Service: |
November 1916 |
| Number
Built: |
152 |
| Engine(s): |
Clerget 9Z, 9 cylinder, rotary,
110 hp [82 kw]
Clerget 9B, rotary, 130 hp [96 kw]
Le Rhône, 9 cylinder, 110 hp [82 kw] |
| Wing Span: |
26 ft 6 in |
| Length: |
18 ft 10 in |
| Height: |
10 ft 6 in |
| Empty
Weight: |
1,101 lb |
| Gross
Weight: |
1,541 lb |
| Max Speed: |
117 mph |
| Ceiling: |
20,500 ft |
| Endurance: |
2¾ hours |
| Crew: |
1 |
| Armament: |
1 synchronized Vickers .303
machine gun |
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