Miloch
December 9th 18, 03:18 PM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopwith_Triplane
---> If you're interested in the history of triplanes, an excellent one page
article can be seen here:
The Triplane Fighter Craze of 1917
http://www.historynet.com/the-triplane-fighter-craze-of-1917.htm
The Sopwith Triplane was a British single seat fighter aircraft designed and
manufactured by the Sopwith Aviation Company during the First World War. It was
the first military triplane to see operational service. The Triplane joined
Royal Naval Air Service squadrons in early 1917 and was immediately successful.
It was nevertheless built in comparatively small numbers and was withdrawn from
active service as Sopwith Camels arrived in the latter half of 1917. Surviving
Triplanes continued to serve as operational trainers until the end of the war.
The Triplane began as a private venture by the Sopwith Aviation Company. The
fuselage and empennage closely mirrored those of the earlier Pup, but chief
engineer Herbert Smith gave the new aircraft three narrow-chord wings to provide
the pilot with an improved field of view. Ailerons were fitted to all three
wings. By using the variable incidence tailplane, the aircraft could be trimmed
to fly hands-off. The introduction of a smaller 8 ft span tailplane in February
1917 improved elevator response.
The Triplane was initially powered by the 110 hp Clerget 9Z nine-cylinder rotary
engine, but most production examples were fitted with the 130 hp Clerget 9B
rotary. At least one Triplane was tested with a 110 hp Le Rhône rotary engine,
but this did not provide a significant improvement in performance.
The initial "prototype of what was to be referred to simply as the Triplane"
first flew on 28 May 1916, with Sopwith test pilot Harry Hawker at the controls.
Within three minutes of takeoff, Hawker startled onlookers by looping the
aircraft, serial N500, three times in succession. The Triplane was very agile,
with effective, well-harmonised controls. When maneuvering, however, the
Triplane presented an unusual appearance. One observer noted that the aircraft
looked like "a drunken flight of steps" when rolling.
In July 1916, N500 was sent to Dunkirk for evaluation with "A" Naval Squadron, 1
Naval Wing. It proved highly successful. The second prototype, serial N504, was
fitted with a 130 hp Clerget 9B. N504 first flew in August 1916 and was
eventually sent to France in December. This aircraft served as a conversion
trainer for several squadrons.
Between July 1916 and January 1917, the Admiralty issued two contracts to
Sopwith for a total of 95 Triplanes, two contracts to Clayton & Shuttleworth
Ltd. for a total of 46 aircraft, and one contract to Oakley & Co. Ltd. for 25
aircraft. Seeking modern aircraft for the Royal Flying Corps, the War Office
also issued a contract to Clayton & Shuttleworth for 106 Triplanes. In February
1917, the War Office agreed to exchange its Triplane orders for the Admiralty's
SPAD S.VII contracts.
Production commenced in late 1916. Sopwith and Clayton & Shuttleworth completed
their RNAS production orders, but Oakley, which had no prior experience building
aircraft, delivered only three Triplanes before its contract was cancelled in
October 1917. For unknown reasons, the RFC Triplane contract issued to Clayton &
Shuttleworth was simply cancelled rather than being transferred to the RNAS.
Total production amounted to 147 aircraft.
Role
Fighter
National origin
United Kingdom
Manufacturer
Sopwith Aviation Company
Designer
Herbert Smith
First flight
28 May 1916
Introduction
December 1916
Primary user
Royal Naval Air Service
Number built
147
No. 1 Naval Squadron became fully operational with the Triplane by December
1916, but the squadron did not see any significant action until February 1917,
when it relocated from Furnes to Chipilly. No. 8 Naval Squadron received its
Triplanes in February 1917. Nos. 9 and 10 Naval Squadrons equipped with the type
between April and May 1917. The only other major operator of the Triplane was a
French naval squadron based at Dunkirk, which received 17 aircraft.
The Triplane's combat debut was highly successful. The new fighter's exceptional
rate of climb and high service ceiling gave it a marked advantage over the
Albatros D.III, though the Triplane was slower in a dive. The Germans were so
impressed by the performance of the Triplane that it spawned a brief triplane
craze among German aircraft manufacturers. Their efforts resulted in no fewer
than 34 different prototypes, including the Fokker V.4, prototype of the
successful Fokker Dr.I.
Pilots nicknamed the aircraft the Tripehound or simply the Tripe. The Triplane
was famously flown by "B" Flight 10 Naval Squadron, better known as "Black
Flight". This all-Canadian flight was commanded by the ace Raymond Collishaw.
Their aircraft, named Black Maria, Black Prince, Black George, Black Death and
Black Sheep, were distinguishable by their black-painted fins and cowlings.
Black Flight claimed 87 German aircraft in three months while equipped with the
Triplane. Collishaw scored 34 of his eventual 60 victories in the aircraft,
making him the top Triplane ace.
Withdrawal from service
The Triplane's combat career was comparatively brief, in part because the
Triplane proved difficult to repair. The fuel and oil tanks were inaccessible
without dismantling the wings and fuselage. Even relatively minor repairs had to
be made at rear echelon repair depots. Spare parts became difficult to obtain
during the summer of 1917, resulting in the reduction of No. 1 Naval Squadron's
complement from 18 to 15 aircraft.
The Triplane also gained a reputation for structural weakness because the wings
of some aircraft collapsed in steep dives. This defect was attributed to the use
of light gauge bracing wires in the 46 aircraft built by subcontractor Clayton &
Shuttleworth. Several pilots of No. 10 Naval Squadron used cables or additional
wires to strengthen their Triplanes. In 1918, the RAF issued a technical order
for the installation of a spanwise compression strut between the inboard cabane
struts of surviving Triplanes. One aircraft, serial N5912, was fitted with
additional mid-bay flying wires on the upper wing while used as a trainer.
Another drawback of the Triplane was its light armament. Contemporary Albatros
fighters were armed with two guns but most Triplanes carried one synchronised
Vickers machine gun. Efforts to fit twin guns to the Triplane met with mixed
results. Clayton & Shuttleworth built six experimental Triplanes with twin guns.
Some of these aircraft saw combat service with Nos. 1 and 10 Naval Squadrons in
July 1917 but performance was reduced and the single gun remained standard.
Triplanes built by Oakley would have featured twin guns, an engineering change
which severely delayed production.
In June 1917, No. 4 Naval Squadron received the first Sopwith Camels and the
advantages of the sturdier, better-armed fighter quickly became evident. Nos. 8
and 9 Naval Squadrons re-equipped with Camels between early July and early
August 1917. No. 10 Naval Squadron converted in late August, turning over its
remaining Triplanes to No. 1 Naval Squadron. No. 1 operated Triplanes until
December, suffering heavy casualties as a consequence. By the end of 1917,
surviving Triplanes were used as advanced trainers with No. 12 Naval Squadron.
Specifications (Clerget 9B-engined variant)
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 18 ft 10 in (5.73 m)
Wingspan: 26 ft 6 in (8 m)
Height: 10 ft 6 in (3.2 m)
Wing area: 231 ft² (21.46 m²)
Empty weight: 1,101 lb (500 kg)
Loaded weight: 1,541 lb (700 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Clerget 9B rotary engine, 130 hp (97 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed: 117 mph (187 km/h) at 5,000 ft (1,830 m)
Range: 321 mi (516 km)
Endurance: 2 hrs 45 min
Service ceiling: 20,500 ft (6,250 m)
Wing loading: 6.13 lb/ft² (29.92 kg/m²)
Time to 6,000 ft (1,830 m): 5 min 50 s
Time to 16,400 ft (5,000 m): 26 min 30 s
Armament
Guns: 1× .303 in Vickers machine gun
*
---> If you're interested in the history of triplanes, an excellent one page
article can be seen here:
The Triplane Fighter Craze of 1917
http://www.historynet.com/the-triplane-fighter-craze-of-1917.htm
The Sopwith Triplane was a British single seat fighter aircraft designed and
manufactured by the Sopwith Aviation Company during the First World War. It was
the first military triplane to see operational service. The Triplane joined
Royal Naval Air Service squadrons in early 1917 and was immediately successful.
It was nevertheless built in comparatively small numbers and was withdrawn from
active service as Sopwith Camels arrived in the latter half of 1917. Surviving
Triplanes continued to serve as operational trainers until the end of the war.
The Triplane began as a private venture by the Sopwith Aviation Company. The
fuselage and empennage closely mirrored those of the earlier Pup, but chief
engineer Herbert Smith gave the new aircraft three narrow-chord wings to provide
the pilot with an improved field of view. Ailerons were fitted to all three
wings. By using the variable incidence tailplane, the aircraft could be trimmed
to fly hands-off. The introduction of a smaller 8 ft span tailplane in February
1917 improved elevator response.
The Triplane was initially powered by the 110 hp Clerget 9Z nine-cylinder rotary
engine, but most production examples were fitted with the 130 hp Clerget 9B
rotary. At least one Triplane was tested with a 110 hp Le Rhône rotary engine,
but this did not provide a significant improvement in performance.
The initial "prototype of what was to be referred to simply as the Triplane"
first flew on 28 May 1916, with Sopwith test pilot Harry Hawker at the controls.
Within three minutes of takeoff, Hawker startled onlookers by looping the
aircraft, serial N500, three times in succession. The Triplane was very agile,
with effective, well-harmonised controls. When maneuvering, however, the
Triplane presented an unusual appearance. One observer noted that the aircraft
looked like "a drunken flight of steps" when rolling.
In July 1916, N500 was sent to Dunkirk for evaluation with "A" Naval Squadron, 1
Naval Wing. It proved highly successful. The second prototype, serial N504, was
fitted with a 130 hp Clerget 9B. N504 first flew in August 1916 and was
eventually sent to France in December. This aircraft served as a conversion
trainer for several squadrons.
Between July 1916 and January 1917, the Admiralty issued two contracts to
Sopwith for a total of 95 Triplanes, two contracts to Clayton & Shuttleworth
Ltd. for a total of 46 aircraft, and one contract to Oakley & Co. Ltd. for 25
aircraft. Seeking modern aircraft for the Royal Flying Corps, the War Office
also issued a contract to Clayton & Shuttleworth for 106 Triplanes. In February
1917, the War Office agreed to exchange its Triplane orders for the Admiralty's
SPAD S.VII contracts.
Production commenced in late 1916. Sopwith and Clayton & Shuttleworth completed
their RNAS production orders, but Oakley, which had no prior experience building
aircraft, delivered only three Triplanes before its contract was cancelled in
October 1917. For unknown reasons, the RFC Triplane contract issued to Clayton &
Shuttleworth was simply cancelled rather than being transferred to the RNAS.
Total production amounted to 147 aircraft.
Role
Fighter
National origin
United Kingdom
Manufacturer
Sopwith Aviation Company
Designer
Herbert Smith
First flight
28 May 1916
Introduction
December 1916
Primary user
Royal Naval Air Service
Number built
147
No. 1 Naval Squadron became fully operational with the Triplane by December
1916, but the squadron did not see any significant action until February 1917,
when it relocated from Furnes to Chipilly. No. 8 Naval Squadron received its
Triplanes in February 1917. Nos. 9 and 10 Naval Squadrons equipped with the type
between April and May 1917. The only other major operator of the Triplane was a
French naval squadron based at Dunkirk, which received 17 aircraft.
The Triplane's combat debut was highly successful. The new fighter's exceptional
rate of climb and high service ceiling gave it a marked advantage over the
Albatros D.III, though the Triplane was slower in a dive. The Germans were so
impressed by the performance of the Triplane that it spawned a brief triplane
craze among German aircraft manufacturers. Their efforts resulted in no fewer
than 34 different prototypes, including the Fokker V.4, prototype of the
successful Fokker Dr.I.
Pilots nicknamed the aircraft the Tripehound or simply the Tripe. The Triplane
was famously flown by "B" Flight 10 Naval Squadron, better known as "Black
Flight". This all-Canadian flight was commanded by the ace Raymond Collishaw.
Their aircraft, named Black Maria, Black Prince, Black George, Black Death and
Black Sheep, were distinguishable by their black-painted fins and cowlings.
Black Flight claimed 87 German aircraft in three months while equipped with the
Triplane. Collishaw scored 34 of his eventual 60 victories in the aircraft,
making him the top Triplane ace.
Withdrawal from service
The Triplane's combat career was comparatively brief, in part because the
Triplane proved difficult to repair. The fuel and oil tanks were inaccessible
without dismantling the wings and fuselage. Even relatively minor repairs had to
be made at rear echelon repair depots. Spare parts became difficult to obtain
during the summer of 1917, resulting in the reduction of No. 1 Naval Squadron's
complement from 18 to 15 aircraft.
The Triplane also gained a reputation for structural weakness because the wings
of some aircraft collapsed in steep dives. This defect was attributed to the use
of light gauge bracing wires in the 46 aircraft built by subcontractor Clayton &
Shuttleworth. Several pilots of No. 10 Naval Squadron used cables or additional
wires to strengthen their Triplanes. In 1918, the RAF issued a technical order
for the installation of a spanwise compression strut between the inboard cabane
struts of surviving Triplanes. One aircraft, serial N5912, was fitted with
additional mid-bay flying wires on the upper wing while used as a trainer.
Another drawback of the Triplane was its light armament. Contemporary Albatros
fighters were armed with two guns but most Triplanes carried one synchronised
Vickers machine gun. Efforts to fit twin guns to the Triplane met with mixed
results. Clayton & Shuttleworth built six experimental Triplanes with twin guns.
Some of these aircraft saw combat service with Nos. 1 and 10 Naval Squadrons in
July 1917 but performance was reduced and the single gun remained standard.
Triplanes built by Oakley would have featured twin guns, an engineering change
which severely delayed production.
In June 1917, No. 4 Naval Squadron received the first Sopwith Camels and the
advantages of the sturdier, better-armed fighter quickly became evident. Nos. 8
and 9 Naval Squadrons re-equipped with Camels between early July and early
August 1917. No. 10 Naval Squadron converted in late August, turning over its
remaining Triplanes to No. 1 Naval Squadron. No. 1 operated Triplanes until
December, suffering heavy casualties as a consequence. By the end of 1917,
surviving Triplanes were used as advanced trainers with No. 12 Naval Squadron.
Specifications (Clerget 9B-engined variant)
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 18 ft 10 in (5.73 m)
Wingspan: 26 ft 6 in (8 m)
Height: 10 ft 6 in (3.2 m)
Wing area: 231 ft² (21.46 m²)
Empty weight: 1,101 lb (500 kg)
Loaded weight: 1,541 lb (700 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Clerget 9B rotary engine, 130 hp (97 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed: 117 mph (187 km/h) at 5,000 ft (1,830 m)
Range: 321 mi (516 km)
Endurance: 2 hrs 45 min
Service ceiling: 20,500 ft (6,250 m)
Wing loading: 6.13 lb/ft² (29.92 kg/m²)
Time to 6,000 ft (1,830 m): 5 min 50 s
Time to 16,400 ft (5,000 m): 26 min 30 s
Armament
Guns: 1× .303 in Vickers machine gun
*