Sopwith Triplane
by Pat Speirs
Title
Sopwith Triplane
Artist
Pat Speirs
Medium
Digital Art - Digital Art Print
Description
Sopwith Triplane
The Sopwith Triplane came into service in late 1916 and was an instant success with the British Naval Squadrons - the Army units (RFC) did not adopt it. It�s sparkling rate of climb and high ceiling, over 20,000ft, gave it a distinct advantage over contemporary German types. With an open cockpit at 20,000 ft, no oxygen and with only a leather coat for warmth I guess that the big hip flask was a regulation piece of kit.
The �Tripe� was famously flown by �B� Flight of 10 RNAS Squadron - better known as Black Flight. This was an all Canadian flight with their aircraft individually named - Black Maria, Black Prince, Black George, Black Death and Black Sheep - and decorated with black fins and cowling. Military black humour alive and well in that outfit! The flight claimed 87 German aircraft in three months with their commander Raymond Collishaw (also Canadian) scoring 34 of his eventual 60 total in the Sopwith.
Only some 150 were built and the example in the image is the only flying one in existence - reproduced for the Shuttleworth Trust from the original drawings. It is flown, somewhat circumspectly, at UK airshows from time to time. Circumspectly as one of the drawbacks of the type was a tendency to shed it�s wings in a dive - now that would really spoil your day
Uploaded
July 27th, 2012
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