SOPWITH AVIATION COMPANY LTD.

UK

T. O. M. Sopwith was pioneer sportsman/pilot. Rebuilt early aircraft before First World War, began development of own types and formed important associations with F. Sigrist (engineer and largely responsible for future success) and H. G. Hawker (pilot). Company registered March 1914. Became world famous for fighter aircraft, built in great numbers by many companies, though Bat Boat of 1913 was notable flying-boat and Tabloid landplane of same year gained renown as floatplane by
Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter
1 1/2 Strutter
winning 1914 Schneider Trophy. Wartime developments were Schneider and Baby floatplanes. First landplane fighter built in great numbers was two-seat 1 1/2-Strutter. Pup was smaller single-seater, and both types made major contributions to ship-flying. Triplane of 1916 excelled in climb. Two-gun Camel, in service 1917, excelled in maneuverability; shipboard version had detachable rear fuselage. Cuckoo of 1917 was world's first deck-landing torpedo-bomber. Snipe was intended to succeed Camel late in war, and remained in RAF service until 1926: Salamander was similar but armored for ground attack. In 1920 the Sopwith Aviation Company was succeeded by the Hawker Engineering Company. The Sopwith fighters sacrificed stability for maneuverability, and became the most famous British aircraft of First World War.


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Gun Bus
Tabloid
Type C
Schneider
Baby
"Pup"
"Triplane"
1 1/2 Strutter
"Camel"
"Snipe"
Bee
B.1
Dolphin
Cuckoo
Hippo
Bulldog
Rhino
Salamander
Snail
Swallow
Dragon
Snapper
Snark