Another Sopwith Triplane

Hey all,

Does anybody have info on this aircraft
http://209.235.66.44/WW1/TriMadness/SW-HS.jpgits new to me

[Rod_Filan]

Sopwith Hispano-Suiza Triplane - 1916
Engine: 200 h.p. Hispano-Suiza
Wing Span: 8.69 m
Length: 7.06 m
Wing Area: 31.59 m2
Speed: 193 km/h
Armament: 1- Vickers 7.7mm mg

Slightly larger and faster than the Sop Tripe with over 10 m2 more wing area. Only two built. One had the 200 h.p. the other a 150 h.p. if I recall correctly; but I'm sure Mike will confirm or deny that.

Profile view 200 h.p.prototype ==> http://204.83.160.230/archive/w/images/sop...tripe_hispa.jpg


VBR
Rod

The Sopwith Hispano-Suiza Triplane was designed and built in 1916. It was an entirely new design, not a modified standard Triplane - although components from the earlier design were almost certainly used - and two were built, serials N509 and N510. The first had a 150hp engine, the second a 200hp version; the latter also having a different fuel system incorporating a gravity tank in the top centre-section, different cowling details and a higher thrust line.

The pilot's outlook was reported as poor, as he sat very low in the cockpit, with his eyes some inches below that of the single Vickers gun that comprised the armament. The mainplanes were larger in all dimensions than those of the earlier Clerget Triplane - chord of 4' 3" was a full 12" wider, wing area was almost 50% greater, and aileron total area of 49 sq.ft. was 15 sq.ft. more than the CT.

N510 was reported at Eastchurch in December 1916, but was destroyed during its trials. N509 lasted until 29 October 1917 when it was written off due to 'fair wear and tear' at Manston, after tests at Eastchurch to investigate the tail-flutter that plagued the type and had probably caused the crash of N510 and some service at Westgate, Kent.

Pilot's view was described as poor, manoeuvrability wasn't up to the required standard and the H-S engines were in demand for the SE5a - so, goodbye Hisso Triplane.

Cheers!

(8:¬)}

Simba.

[MikeW]

Only bits that I can add are that:

N510 killed FL LH Hardstaff (Admiralty Test Pilot) when the tail broke away during a speed test on 20th October 1916.

N509 was flown operationally 4 times with the Manston War Flight, if I recall correctly it never got close to a Gotha.


I don't have them in my collection, but there are a lot more photographs of these two machines that have never been published.

Mike

[StephenLawson]

From Rosebud's site


Rosebud

[Rod_Filan]

And another Tripe

http://204.83.160.230/archive/m/images/191...06.Holcroft.jpg

[R Pope]

Rod-- hard to believe the pilot lived through that!