Sopwith

13 November 1999, 09:29 AM

Whatever happened to Sopwith after WWI?

13 November 1999, 09:53 AM

T.O.M. Sopwith sold his interest in the company in the early twenties and took up yacht racing. It became Hawker Aviation and there has never been a day when one of it's products (or that of one of it's successor companies in the Hawker Siddley/BAe Group) has not been in service with the Royal Air Force. Quite a record; 1914-1999, Tabloid to Harrier.

13 November 1999, 10:51 AM

Tommy Sopwith was charged with war profiteering after the war, which was understandebly hard for him to accept.

After the sale of Sopwith to Hawker Sir Thomas was a officer of the company and went to work each day even at the age of 103.

13 November 1999, 01:57 PM

Re. Successor to Sopwith Aviation: Harry Hawker was The Sopwith Co's. Chief Test Pilot. I have material at hand which states he developed a small biplane as his personal project which was to evolve into the Sopwith "Pup". Regards. LEB

3 December 1999, 03:08 AM

Probably sounds like a ridiculous question, but: you're telling me that Sopwith sold his interest & it became Hawker Aviation - as in the Hurricane of WWII? I never knew that! Just thought Sopwith faded away post-WWI! Never ran across anything indicating the connection between the two . . .