Data urgently needed: Sopwith Gunbus

Volker_Nemsch · 23 September 2002, 04:37 AM

For my CD-Rom project I´m looking for the following technical data of the SOPWITH GUNBUS.

Height?
Ceiling?
Range/Endurance?

Thanks in advance for your help! *

muff · 23 September 2002, 06:37 AM

Hello; Volker, The Plane called a Gunbus, was built by Vickers. NOT Sopwith. It had a speed of 70 MPH, a range of 4. 1/2 hours and a ceiling of 9,000 feet. Hope this helps you out. Muff

Volker_Nemsch · 23 September 2002, 08:07 AM

Hello Muff!

You are right, too. The better known GUNBUS was produced by Vickers but there was a Sopwith Gunbus in service. About 40 were built at the beginning of WW1 and it was a much bigger aircraft than the Vickers. There are photos existing of the 2 aircraft and you will see the considerable differences. Maybe someone else can add photos of these different machines?

BTW, two years ago I´ve never heard of the Sopwith Gunbus, too.

muff · 23 September 2002, 09:32 AM

Hi; Volker, You are right there was a Sopwith Gun bus. it is shown on pages 524 and 525 in Bruces book British Aeroplanes 1914-1918. top speed 80 MPH. with Sunbeam engine. 801-806 were built by Sopwith, 3833 - 3862 were built by Robey & Co. only 17 were delivered complete. the remainder were delivered as spares. no performance given except for speed. Commander C. R. Samson had one at Dunkerque RNAS, Said it required a lot of work to make it safe to fly. they came with two different Engines, a 100 HP Gnome Monosoupape, and a 150 HP Sunbeam. Muff

MikeW · 23 September 2002, 10:23 AM

Service ceiling approx 4000ft (1220m)

Speed 80mph (129km/h)

Endurance 21/2 hours

I think you will find the normal engine choice was a 100hp Anzani or as mentioned the 150hp Sunbeam.

The Gnomes were fitted to machines for the Greek navy, but several were "impressed" into the RNAS at the outbreak of war.

Volker_Nemsch · 23 September 2002, 11:10 AM

Hello!

Thank you for your help! Now there is just one thing missing:

height of the aircraft

It is always a wonderful thing how fast you will get any kind of help here!

MikeW · 23 September 2002, 11:19 AM

Volker,

so sorry, 11ft 4 in (or 3.45m)

Mike

Volker_Nemsch · 24 September 2002, 11:30 AM

Thank you Mike!

Now I have everything I need concerning the page for the Sopwith Gunbus.

The problem was solved within some hours!
8)

Graeme · 24 September 2002, 01:08 PM

From the book "Sopwith - the man and his aircraft":

The Gunbus with the 100hp Anzani engine had a wingspan of 50 feet, a length of 31 feet, the height isn't mentioned. It had a two-blade airscrew, had a top speed of 80 mph and a ceiling of 4,000 feet.

When fitted with the 150hp Sunbeam engine the length was increased to 32 feet 6 inches and the height was 11 feet 4 inches. This had a four-blade airscrew (2900mm in diameter) and was equipped with single Lewis gun in the nose. It took 15 minutes to reach 3,500 feet Top speed and ceiling were as for the Anzani-powered version. Endurance for either version was 2.5 hours.

29 Gunbuses were produced, 12 by Sopwith Aviation and 17 by Robey & Co. 30 had been ordered from Robey and Co but the last 13 were delivered as spare parts.

If I could get my scanner to play ball, I'd scan-in the GA drawing from the book.

Graeme

Volker_Nemsch · 27 September 2002, 10:16 PM

Hello Greame!

This would be great!. Do you have some data and pictures of the Airco (DH) 1? Maybe this is worth another new thread. The DH 2 is well known but the DH 1 ...