The relationship between 1.5 Strutter and Pup

[Lufbery]

Hi all,

For years I was under the misapprehension that the Sopwith Pup was simply a 1.5 Strutter modified to have a single seat. But, a recent glance at each plane's dimensions revealed that the Pup is a bit smaller than the Strutter.

However, there is a definite similarity between the planes in how they look.

So, was the Pup developed from the Strutter?

Regards,

[Barker]

Sure, Luf - that's how it gets its name.

Look at the construction from firewall to about a third of the turtledeck.
Ignore details and look for similar construction solution.
You find it again in a Tripehound.
These three share in common that lattice work you see about the pilot.
Signature.
If you squint, you even see it in a Camel, though the cockpit is re-thought.

Interestingly, you can see the same lines pop up in lots of a/c - Nieuports come to mind as mods to existing, not really departing from line until the 28. Even that looks like a streamlined, refined 24/27, though it apparently did not fly like one.

Sopwiths share a lineage like thoroughbreds, after a glance.

Fokkers do the same to me - regardless of year or ultimate layout of the entire a/c.
The frames share more in common than not.

Albatros is self-evident.

SPADs 7, 12, 13 etc - and vary by refinement of engine and detail.

Like platform cars nowadays.
===
Was just reading about this, this morning.
Engine and total weight, as well as wing layout has a lot to do with these.
While looking at the airframe, look also at the engine.
Look at the total weight.
Look at the control surfaces.
Look for stability/instability and how facilitated.

That's as far as my thoughts take me - the experts (see the AIRCO DH2 thread) can tell more.

[fltmech]

"Sopwiths share a lineage like thoroughbreds, after a glance"
I agree, but always figured the Pup was a developement of the Sopwith Baby. throught the Baby's evelutionat Sopwith elements that appeare on the Pup, tried out on the Baby, the tailplane is similar to the SS3.

[Yeoman]

Hello chaps
I had always thought that the pup was derived from a small personal aircraft built for Harry Hawker- Sopwiths test pilot in 1915.

There is a pic of this little aircraft in the pup'datafile special'

Looks very puplike to me!

[wingstrutdotcom]

Originally posted by Lufbery@May 4 2004, 01:47 PM
[b] However, there is a definite similarity between the planes in how they look.

So, was the Pup developed from the Strutter?

Sounds like a case of airplane inbreading.

[Graeme]

From "Sopwith - The Man and his Aircraft" compiled and written by Bruce Robertson:

"The drawings for the Sopwith Two-Seat Biplane (later to become known as the 1½ Strutter) were passed on December 12th 1915 and in early 1916 the drawings for a Single-seat Scout were passed, followed in February by plans for a Triplane."

The first production 1½ Strutters were tested by Hawker at Brooklands in February 1916 and on 12 April he took one of the new single-seat biplanes up to 7,200 metres (24,408 feet) constituting a new British height record. The first Triplane passed inspection on 28 May 1916.

The Strutter had a span of 33 feet 6 inches while both the Pup and Triplane had a span of 26 feet 6 inches; the Strutter was 25 feet 3¾ inches in length, the Pup 19 feet 3¾ inches and the Triplane 18 feet 10 inches (when powered by the 110 hp Clerget ) or 19 feet 6 inches (130 hp Clerget).

From the same source:

"While the Schneiders were tested on the Solent, the Sopwith sheds at Brooklands were still used for trials on the modifications being carried out on two tractor biplanes, the "Sigrist Bus" and "Hawker Runabout", both derived from the Tabloid and powered with 80 h.p. and 50 h.p. Gnomes respectively. Hawker occasionally took his "Run-about" to Hendon, demonstrating its amazing speed range of 22 to 84.6 m.p.h. and its aerobtaic capabilities."

A photo of the Sopwith Bee appears on page 85 with the following caption:

"Used by Harry Hawker for aerobatic displays, this Sopwith Bee was powered by a 50 h.p. Gnome engine. It was built from Pup components, and had a wing-warping control system."


Graeme