Sopwith Triplane

  • A U.K.-designed, single-seater fighter aircraft manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company during the First World War
  • Designed following the Sopwith Pup, with excellent manoeuvrability and the aim of maximizing pilot visibility
  • Used for less than a year in wartime, yet its success inspired several German triplane designs
  • Served the all-Canadian B Flight of No. 10 (Naval) Squadron in downing eighty-seven enemy aircraft between May and July 1917
Period
First World War (1914-1918)
Uses
Fighter
First Flight
May/June 1916
Display Status
In Storage Wing.

Background History

The Triplane was a successful attempt to produce a fighter with outstanding manoeuvrability and excellent visibility for the pilot. Records of procurement are very confused, but the Royal Naval Air Service received all of the small number of Triplanes available. Even though the Triplane remained in front-line service for less than a year, it was so successful that it inspired several German triplane designs. Only 150 Sopwith Triplanes were built.

The all-Canadian B Flight of No. 10 (Naval) Squadron, equipped with Triplanes, downed 87 enemy aircraft between May and July 1917. Called the Black Flight because of the black markings of their airplanes, their aircraft were named: Black Maria, Black Sheep, Black Prince, Black Roger, and Black Death.

Museum Example

Registration #
N5492 (RNAS)
Manufacturer
ome-built (Carl Swanson), United States
Manufacture Date
1966
Construction #
Unknown
Acquisition Date
1966
Provenance
Purchase
Museum Catalogue #
1967.0693

The Museum's Triplane is a reproduction built by American amateur airplane-maker Carl R. Swanson between 1963 and 1966. The Museum purchased it in 1966, and provided and installed its Clerget 9B rotary engine. Wing Commander Paul A. Hartman piloted the aircraft during its first flight, on May 5, 1967 at Rockcliffe airport. It remained airworthy and flew on special occasions until 1971.

Technical Specifications

 

Wing Span 8.1 m (26 ft 6 in)
Length 5.7 m (18 ft 10 in)
Height 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)
Weight, Empty 499 kg (1,101 lb)
Weight, Gross 699 kg (1,541 lb)
Cruising Speed Unknown
Max Speed 187 km/h (116 mph)
Rate of Climb 305 m (1,000 ft) / 50 sec
Service Ceiling 6,705 m (22,000 ft)
Range 2.75 hours (Endurance)
Power Plant one Clerget 9B, 130 hp, rotary engine