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The Sopwith Triplane was closely related to its sibling, the Pup, but designed for superior roll and turn rate and had a remarkable rate of climb. The type’s small-chord wings offered a good field of vision compared to biplane fighters. Structurally, the Triplane was strong enough to avoid the extensive rigging seen on many other airplanes of the time. Its maneuverability was helped by the fact that all six of the plane's wings incorporated an aileron. Known as the "Tripe" or "Tripehound," it was a highly influential design that spawned multiple imitations, including the famous Fokker Dr.1.
Production Triplanes were operated by the British Royal Naval Air Service from early to late 1917. The most famous Tripes were flown by the Canadian pilots of B or "Black" Flight, No. 10 Naval Squadron, commanded by fighter ace Raymond Collishaw. These aircraft carried names such as Black Maria, Black Death, Black Sheep, Black Roger, and Black Prince. Despite its success and influence, only about 150 Tripes were built, partly due to the introduction of the Camel.
Early Sopwith Triplanes were powered by a 110-horsepower Clerget rotary engine, later upgraded to a 130-hp version. Two airframes were equipped with a 150-hp or 180-hp Hispano-Suiza engine, but this version was not mass-produced. Armament consisted of a single synchronized .303-inch Vickers machine gun. Like the Pup, this relatively light weaponry was considered its primary drawback, leading to a few airframes being modified to carry two guns. This shortcoming was finally addressed with development of the twin-Vickers Sopwith Camel.
The Museum's aircraft was built by Carl Swanson of Darien, Wisconsin. It is a highly accurate reproduction, including a Clerget 9B, 110-horsepower rotary engine. This plane carries the Black Prince markings of Canadian ace Sub-Lieutenant Mel Alexander, who flew with Collishaw's famous "Black Flight" squadron.
The Sopwith Triplane was closely related to its sibling, the Pup, but designed for superior roll and turn rate and had a remarkable rate of climb. The type’s small-chord wings offered a good field of vision compared to biplane fighters. Structurally, the Triplane was strong enough to avoid the extensive rigging seen on many other airplanes of the time. Its maneuverability was helped by the fact that all six of the plane's wings incorporated an aileron. Known as the "Tripe" or "Tripehound," it was a highly influential design that spawned multiple imitations, including the famous Fokker Dr.1.
Production Triplanes were operated by the British Royal Naval Air Service from early to late 1917. The most famous Tripes were flown by the Canadian pilots of B or "Black" Flight, No. 10 Naval Squadron, commanded by fighter ace Raymond Collishaw. These aircraft carried names such as Black Maria, Black Death, Black Sheep, Black Roger, and Black Prince. Despite its success and influence, only about 150 Tripes were built, partly due to the introduction of the Camel.
Early Sopwith Triplanes were powered by a 110-horsepower Clerget rotary engine, later upgraded to a 130-hp version. Two airframes were equipped with a 150-hp or 180-hp Hispano-Suiza engine, but this version was not mass-produced. Armament consisted of a single synchronized .303-inch Vickers machine gun. Like the Pup, this relatively light weaponry was considered its primary drawback, leading to a few airframes being modified to carry two guns. This shortcoming was finally addressed with development of the twin-Vickers Sopwith Camel.
The Museum's aircraft was built by Carl Swanson of Darien, Wisconsin. It is a highly accurate reproduction, including a Clerget 9B, 110-horsepower rotary engine. This plane carries the Black Prince markings of Canadian ace Sub-Lieutenant Mel Alexander, who flew with Collishaw's famous "Black Flight" squadron.
