Sopwith Triplane

  • Period: First World War (1914-1918)
  • Uses: Fighter
  • First Flight: May/June 1916
  • Display Status: In Reserve Hangar.

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: Home-built (Carl Swanson), United States
  • Manufacture Date: 1966
  • Construction #: Unknown
  • Aquisition Date: 1966
  • Provenance: Purchase

The Museum Triplane is a reproduction built by Carl Swanson from 1963 to 1966 and purchased by the Museum in 1966. The aircraft has been flown on special occasions.

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