Sopwith Triplane Flies

Aviation enthusiasts in New Zealand have long been familiar with Fokker Triplane replica aircraft being flown at air shows around the country. Recently, a completely different type of triplane took to the New Zealand skies when a Sopwith Triplane replica, which was started by Chad Wille in Corning, Iowa, was completed by The Vintage Aviator Ltd (TVAL) for its owner, the 14–18 Trust.

Chad Wille worked from original drawings, but used more modern construction techniques, including an all-metal tube fuselage structure. The engine chosen for the aircraft was a Russian M14P radial, which provides about 70 more horsepower than the 130-hp Clerget 9B rotary fitted to later Sopwith Triplanes.

The aircraft arrived in New Zealand with only the fuselage and tail plane completed. TVAL had to build numerous components including the wings and undercarriage, and had to fit the engine.

TVAL’s attention to detail in completing this replica extended to using Irish linen to cover the aircraft and even building an authentic (non-firing) replica Vickers machine gun. The Triplane’s paint scheme represents that of Raymond Collishaw, who was the commander of B flight, 10 Squadron Royal Navy.

TVAL’s test pilot, Gene DeMarco, who completed the aircraft’s test flying programme at Hood aerodrome, described the aircraft as being very nice to fly.

Around 150 examples of the Sopwith Triplane were built, most of which were flown by the Royal Navy. The Triplane’s basic fuselage geometry and various minor fittings were derived from the Sopwith Pup, and it was fitted with the same tail unit but had an adjustable tailplane. The wingspan was the same as that of the Pup (26 ft. 6 in.) but its three narrow-chord wings had less total area (231 ft2 compared to the Pup’s 254 ft2), and as the all up weight was greater, it was fitted with a more powerful engine.

The successful appearance of the Sopwith Triplane on the frontline quickly led the Germans to produce their own versions. The Sopwith Triplane was larger than its better known rival, the Fokker Triplane, which had a wingspan of only 23 ft 7 inches (7.2 metres) compared to the Sopwith’s 26 ft 6 in span. With an empty weight of 993 lb (450 kg) compared to 895 lb (406 kg) for the Fokker, and a loaded weight of 1,415 lb (642 kg) compared to the Fokker’s 1,292 lb (586 kg), the Sopwith Triplane was also significantly heavier.

For more information on this Sopwith Triplane replica and TVAL, visit TVAL’s excellent website at: http://thevintageaviator.co.nz/