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Sopwith Triplane [Great Britain]
Sopwith Triplane (reproduction)

The Sopwith Triplane was used in combat by the Royal Naval Air Service. The stack of three wings reduced wingspan and increased wing area making it handle and climb better than biplanes. Visibility from the cockpit was outstanding but the "Tripe" was slower and less heavily armed than it's German opponents. The Germans were impressed with its performance and a captured Triplane inspired the development of the Fokker DR.I. The Triplane was eventually withdrawn from service and replaced with the Sopwith Camel.

The "Black Flight," commanded by Canadian ace Raymond Collishaw, shot down 87 German aircraft in three months while flying the Sopwith Triplane. With 33 victories, Collishaw was the highest scoring ace to fly this aircraft.


Quotes
"Of all machines, the Triplane remains in my memory as the best . . . Other machines were faster, stronger, had better climb or vision; but none was so friendly as the Tripe." Cecil Lewis, English ace

Specifications
Country:Great Britain
Manufacturer:Sopwith Aviation Company
Type:Fighter
First Introduced:November 1916
Number Built:152
Engines: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 [8.07 m]
Length:18 ft 10 in [5.73 m]
Height:10 ft 6 in [3.20 m]
Empty Weight:1,101 lb [499 kg]
Gross Weight:1,541 lb [698 kg]
Max Speed:117 mph [188 km/h]
Ceiling:20,500 ft [6,248 m]
Endurance:2¾ hours
Crew:1
Armament:1 synchronized Vickers .303 machine gun
(a handful were equipped with twin machine guns)

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