The triple wing of the Sopwith Triplane made it possible to reduce wingspan while increasing lift. This configuration made the Tripe handle better and climb faster than most biplanes of the time and is said to have been the inspiration for the more famous German Fokker Triplane.
A major drawback of the Sopwith Triplane was the difficulty of repair. The structural members to support the wing made it difficult for mechanics to reach parts of the plane without disassembly. Nevertheless, the Tripe had a distinguished, but brief, career as a fighter.
This plane carries the markings of Royal Naval Air Service No. 8 Squadron.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Country of Manufacture | Great Britain |
| First Year of Service | 1916 |
| Wing Span | 26 ft 6 in | 8.07 m |
| Length | 18 ft 10 in | 5.73 m |
| Height | 10 ft 6 in | 3.2 m |
| Weight | 1541 lbs | 698 kg |
| Engine | Clerget, 9 cylinder air-cooled rotary engine, 130hp |
| Top Speed | 117 mph | 188 km/h |
| Range | 280 miles | 450 km |
| Armament | 1 Vickers .303 machine gun |
| Crew | 1 |
