Sopwith Triplane vs. Fokker Dr1

Rod_Filan · 11 March 2003, 07:25 AM

Cowls only.

Posting pics seems hit and miss. See ==> http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/aircraft/WWI/...info/image3.jpg

VBR
Rod

MikeW · 11 March 2003, 09:35 AM

Sorry Rod - Black was applied to the cowls, the alloy top and side cladding, the wheel covers, and the fins - don't care what Fiddler's Green claims.

And contrary to the opinion of every other authority in the world, and "black flight" artist, they all had a large white letter (almost certainly the first initial of their surnames) behind the fuselage cockade - I'd stake my left one on that - don't all line up with a pair of house bricks!!

oh yes - the book has gone on hold until I can find the original test reports on the prototype, and on the Sopwith built twin gun "prototype" that went to RNAS Grain. The reports are not in the PRO files that they are supposed to be in. It's also suffering from being too big, and might have to be published as a two-parter. My work on Naval 10 will be finished shortly and will see light of day quite soon.

Mike

14 March 2003, 03:23 PM

I have always understood the SopTripe to be inferior in maneuverability to the Dr1, but in terms of roll rate and turn radius not terribly so. As the Dr1 could roll into a turn faster than anything else, the SopTri is indeed about half as fast at rolling into a full turn, but snappy enough. However, the Dr1 had a weak wing design compared to the more robust Tripehound: it could outdive a Dr1 any time. And it was not just a tiny bit faster but closer to 10 mph (about), which is significant.

MtM