Sopwith Pup

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Sqn Cdr E. H. Dunning landing on HMS Furious in a Sopwith Pup.

The Sopwith Pup was a single seater biplane fighter aircraft used by the British in World War I. It was manufactured by the Sopwith Aviation Company and was officially named the Sopwith Scout. It was nicknamed the Pup because it looked like a smaller version of the two-seat Sopwith 1½ Strutter; the name Pup was not used officially as it was reportedly thought to be undignified[1].

The Pup was a highly regarded aircraft. It was pleasant to fly and was simple and reliable. Its large wings gave it a good rate of climb and agility, especially at altitude. It was underpowered compared to the German Albatros D.III but could turn twice in the space of a single turn by an Albatros.

It was used to great effect by both the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. The first Pups reached the Western Front in October of 1916 and a total of 1,770 were built. After being removed from frontline service in mid-1917 they were used by a Home Defense squadron against Zeppelins. On August 2, 1917, a Sopwith Pup flown by Sqn Cdr Edwin Dunning became the first aircraft to land aboard a moving ship, HMS Furious. Dunning was killed on his third landing when the Pup fell over the side of the ship.

The Pup was based on the personal plane of Sopwith's chief test pilot Harry Hawker.

[edit] General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 19 ft 3.75 in (5.9 m)
Wingspan: 26 ft 6 in (8.1 m)
Height: 9 ft 5 in (2.9 m)
Wing Area: 254 ft2 (23.60 m2)
Empty: 856 lb (388 kg)
Loaded: 1,225 lb (556 kg)
Max Takeoff Weight: 1,225 lb (556 kg)
Powerplant: Air cooled Le Rhone rotary engine, 80 or 100 horsepower (60 or 75 kW)

[edit] Performance

Maximum speed: 106 mph (171 km/h)
Endurance: 3 hours
Service ceiling: 18,500 feet (5,600 m)

It was armed with a single, forward firing .303 in (7.62 mm) Vickers machine gun. The machinegun fired forward through the propellor by means of an interrupter gear.