Sopwith Triplane Aircraft

Triplane, Russia. Copyright: Arvo Vercamer

Production Details

Design Company:

Sopwith Aviation Co

First Flight:

May 1916

Triplane:

103 - Sopwith 46 - Clayton & Shuttleworth Ltd 3 - Oakley & Co

Type Specification

Applies to:

Sopwith Triplane

Type:

Fighting scout

Wing:

Single bay triplane with unswept, equal span, staggered wings. Wooden structure with fabric covering. Ailerons on all six wings

Fuselage:

Fuselage fills gap between lower and middle wings. Box section with faired upper decking of wooden structure with fabric covering

Tail Unit:

Wire braced tailplane at top of fuselage with split elevator and single fin and rudder

Landing Gear:

Cross axle type supported on V struts attached to fuselage lower longeron. Tail skid

Power Plant:

One 130 hp Clerget engine in the nose driving a two bladed wooden propeller

Accommodation:

Single seat for pilot in open cockpit positioned in cutout in middle wing trailing edge

Armament:

One fixed Vickers gun firing forward on top of fuselage

Span:

26 ft 6 in

Length:

18 ft 10 in

Height:

10 ft 6 in

Wing Area:

231 sq ft

Empty:

1,101 lb

Loaded:

1,541 lb

Max Speed:

113 mph at 6,500 ft

Climb:

22 min to 16,000 ft

Service Ceiling:

20,500 ft

Endurance:

2.75 hr

Preserved in British Museums

Triplane:

N5912 - RAF Museum, Hendon - Display N6290 - Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden - Airworthy

Replica:

N5492 - Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton - Display

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