Sopwith Cuckoo
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| Sopwith Cuckoo | |
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| Type | Torpedo Bomber |
| Manufacturer | Sopwith |
| Introduced | 1918 |
| Retired | 1923 |
| Primary user | RAF |
| Produced | 1917 - 1919 |
| Number built | 233 |
The Sopwith T.1 Cuckoo was a British biplane torpedo bomber used by the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS), and its successor organisation, the Royal Air Force (RAF). The Cuckoo was built by the Sopwith Aviation Company, better known for making the Sopwith Camel and Sopwith Pup. Though the Cuckoo would also prove to be a good design, it had only a relatively brief career.
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[edit] Design and development
The Cuckoo was developed to meet an RNAS requirement for a torpedo carrying landplane capable of carrying an 18 inch torpedo which could be launched from an aircraft carrier. It first flew in June 1917, powered by a 200 hp Hispano-Suiza 8 engine. As the Hispano-Suiza engines were unavailable, the heavier Sunbeam Arab was selected for production orders. A number of Cuckoos were fitted with Wolseley Viper engines as an alternative to the troublesome Arabs. A total of 350 were ordered, but initial production was slow and the end of World War resulted in a number of cancellations, with a total of 232 being completed (the majority by Blackburn by the time production finished in 1919.
[edit] Operational history
The first Cuckoos were delivered in September 1918. Elaborate plans were made by Admiral Sir David Beatty, the commander of the Grand Fleet, to attack the German High Seas Fleet at harbour using the Cuckoos which would have flown off the new carrier HMS Argus. These plans were one of the main reasons for the large orders placed for the Cuckoo, but the attack was never carried out. The war was drawing to a close when the Cuckoo entered service with No. 185 Squadron RAF and the squadron did not undertake any operations before the Armistice.
The Cuckoo was the first land plane designed to operate off warships for use as a torpedo-bomber, its wings being foldable. The Cuckoo proved generally popular with its pilots, but by 1 April 1923, the Cuckoo's career was over when the last squadron to use the type, No. 210 Squadron RAF, was disbanded. It was replaced in service by the Blackburn Dart.
[edit] Variants
- Cuckoo I
- Single-seat torpedo bomber aircraft. Powered by a 200 hp (149 kW) Sunbeam Arab piston engine.
- Cuckoo II
- Single-seat torpedo bomber aircraft. Powered by a 200 hp (149 kW) Wolseley Viper piston engine.
- Sopwith B.1
- Single-seat bomber aircraft. Powered by a 200 hp (149 kW) Hispano-Suiza piston engine. Two prototypes built.
[edit] Operators
Japan- Japanese Air Force operated 6 Cuckoo II aircraft.
- Royal Naval Air Service
- Royal Air Force:
- No. 185 Squadron RAF - Used Cuckoo from October 1918 but was disbanded the following year.
- No. 186 Squadron RAF - Used Cuckoo from late 1918. Was renamed 210 Squadron in 1920.
- No. 210 Squadron RAF - Formed in 1920 from 186 Squadron, and continued to use the Cuckoo until 1 April 1923 when it disbanded.
[edit] Specifications (Sunbeam Arab powered)
Data from {The British Bomber}[1].
General characteristics
- Crew: one, pilot
- Length: 28 ft 6 in (8.68 m)
- Wingspan: 46 ft 9 in (14.25 m)
- Height: 10 ft 8 in (3.25 m)
- Wing area: 566 ft² (52.6 m²)
- Empty weight: 2,199 lb (1,000 kg)
- Loaded weight: 3,883 lb (1,765kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Sunbeam Arab V8 engine, 200 hp (149 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 105.5mph (92 kts, 171 km/h)
- Range: 291 nm (335 mi, 539 km)
- Service ceiling 12,100 ft (3,690 m)
Armament 18 in torpedo
[edit] See also
Related lists
[edit] References
- ^ Mason, Francis K (1994). The British Bomber since 1914. Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN 0 85177 861 5.
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