Time Period: World War I
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Type: Triplane, Fighter Aircraft
Manufacturer: Sopwith Aviation Company
Sopwith Triplane Aircraft Overview
Introduced in early 1917 by the Sopwith Aviation Company, the Sopwith Triplane, often simply referred to as the “Tripe” or “Tripehound,” was the first operational triplane and significantly influenced fighter aircraft design at the time.
The Sopwith Triplane’s most distinctive feature was its three narrow wings stacked one above the other, which provided exceptional maneuverability and climbing performance. The triplane configuration offered greater lift and agility without compromising visibility, giving pilots an advantage in dogfights. The aircraft was powered by a rotary engine (commonly the 110 hp Clerget 9B), which allowed it to reach a top speed of about 117 mph (188 km/h), making it one of the fastest fighters when it was first introduced.
The Triplane's Operational Use
The Sopwith Triplane was initially used by the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) and quickly earned a reputation for its excellent handling and combat effectiveness. It proved particularly successful against German aircraft on the Western Front, where it outperformed many enemy fighters in terms of agility.
The Triplane was used to great effect by aces such as Raymond Collishaw 🔗 of No. 10 Naval Squadron, whose Black Flight became famous for their successes flying the aircraft.
Impact and Legacy
Though only about 150 Sopwith Triplanes were built, its impact was significant. The aircraft’s success inspired the development of other triplane designs, including the famous German Fokker Dr.I. However, despite its effectiveness, the Sopwith Triplane was eventually overshadowed by newer biplane fighters like the Sopwith Camel, which offered better overall performance and firepower.
The Sopwith Triplane remains notable as one of the earliest examples of the triplane concept in combat, demonstrating the potential of multi-wing configurations in aerial dogfights and leaving a lasting impression on aviation history.
Sopwith Triplane Specifications
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Length: 18 feet 10 inches (5.74 meters)
- Wingspan: 26 feet 6 inches (8.08 meters)
- Height: 10 feet 6 inches (3.20 meters)
- Wing Area: 231 square feet (21.5 square meters)
- Empty Weight: 1,101 pounds (499 kilograms)
- Gross Weight: 1,541 pounds (699 kilograms)
- Engine: 1 × Clerget 9B, a 9-cylinder air-cooled rotary piston engine producing 130 horsepower (97 kW)
- Propeller: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller
Sopwith Triplane Performance
- Maximum Speed: 117 mph (188 km/h or 102 knots) at 5,000 feet (1,524 meters)
- Range: 321 miles (517 kilometers or 279 nautical miles)
- Endurance: 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Service Ceiling: 20,500 feet (6,200 meters)
- Climb Rate:
- 6,000 feet (1,829 meters) in 5 minutes 50 seconds
- 16,400 feet (4,999 meters) in 26 minutes 30 seconds
- Wing Loading: 6.13 pounds per square foot (29.9 kilograms per square meter)
Sopwith Triplane Armament
Guns: 1 × .303 inch (7.70 mm) Vickers machine gun
