Sopwith Triplane

The Sopwith Triplane carried the unorthodox design of three wings, thin in chord to create lift. Despite the 110 Clerget Rotary Engine, the aircraft proved highly manouevreable in the air and exceedingly quick in the climb. Going only to the Squadrons of the Royal Naval Air Service, the Triplanes quickly built up a formidable reputation as a fighting scout with the German aviators. Given the nickname "Tripe" or "Tripehound", the Sopwith Triplane was made famous by the Canadians of the "Black Flight" of Naval 10, their aircraft having black noses and macabre names such as 'Black Maria', 'Black Death', 'Black Roger', 'Black Sheep' and 'Black Prince'. The Sopwith Triplane was replaced in the Naval Squadrons by the Sopwith Camel as it became available. The Triplane fought on the Western, Eastern and Macedonian Fronts.

Kits

1/72 Revell Sopwith Triplane, Injection Moulded

1/48 Aurora Sopwith Triplane, Injection Moulded
1/48 Eduard Sopwith Triplane Black Flight, Injection Moulded
1/48 Eduard Sopwith Triplane with Skis, Injection Moulded
1/48 Eduard Sopwith Triplane (Original Version), Injection Moulded
1:48 Koster Aero Enterprises Sopwith Triplane, Multi-media (Vac, wht. metal, decals)

Articles

Performance Figures for the Sopwith Triplane

Builds

Christopher Anderson - Sopwith Triplane.
Matt Bittner - 1/72 Revell Triplane in French Naval markings
Chris Friedenbach - 1/48 Eduard Triplane as Raymond Collishaw’s 'Black Maria'
Lorna Jenkins - Sopwith Triplane.
Brent Theobold - 1/48 Eduard Sopwith Triplane.
Mark Vaughan-Jackson. 1/48, Smer Triplane

Museum aircraft

Champlin Fighter Pilots Museum, Tempe, AZ, USA
Shuutleworth Collection UK replica