Captain Footes Pup

[Terry_Crisp]

Gentlemen,
I have decided to do Footes black and white striped Pup,B2192, in 1/72 for the good and simple reason that it is the loveliest example of a lovely plane.
I have only one photo of this a/c. That being the one on page three of the old Profile Publication. I could get by with just this but I sure would like to have other views to refer to.
The question is; Have any of you ever seen any other photos of this gorgeous bird and if so can you either refer me to them or email me a scan. I'd be ever so much obliged.
Best regards,
Terry Crisp

[Cliff]

Terry

There is a frontal side view of B2192 in the 'Sopwith Pup' Special by Albatros, that shows the undersides of the wings and tail.

Cliff

[Terry_Crisp]

Cliff,
Thanks Cliff, I'll try to come up with a copy.
Terry

[chris_h]

Terry, there is an illustration of this a/c on the pilots-n-planes site.

Try http://pilots-n-planes-ww1.com/Allied/Brit...-P-B2192_01.jpg (http://pilots-n-planes-ww1.com/Allied/British/Planes/Sopwith/pup/SW-P-B2192_01.jpg)

My thanks to Grzegorz for putting me onto this fine site.

Happy modelling

Chris

[Terry_Crisp]

Chris,
Thanks very much. That view of the underside of the wings answered many questions. I now have a reasonable chance to do this bird justice.
Best regards,
Terry

[cam]

Terry,

>Footes black and white striped Pup

The Profile Publications 13 has a profile of it in black and white, given the film of the time why not red and white? Or did someone from the period give an oral or written description of it being black and white?




cam

[Terry_Crisp]

Cam,
An interesting point and an reasonable question.IMHO the value of the stripes does not match the value of the known red stripe of the tailplane marking. However, I will admit that this is suggestive and not conclusive. A different brand of paint or even a different application of the paint could easily account for that small a difference in shade.
I know of no contemporary reference to the colors of this a/c. Let me say this about that;
HELP! HELP!
Do any of you gentlemen know of any such description? Admittidly, it's rather dumb, but I never questioned the Profile.
Best regards to all,
Terry

[cam]

Terry,

>An interesting point and an reasonable question.

I always thought it was red and white. On the other hand, Cobby's instructor Camel was described by Cobby as white with black checks, but Holden painted his instructor SE5a all red. Mallet and Pflaum both had all white Camels. Pflaums Camel had a red stripe with a white emu in it. The stripe which appears on the 5,6 and 8 Sqn AFC aircraft has been depicted as both black and red by different references.

From all that I would say the call is totally yours ;)




cam

[Terry_Crisp]

Cam,
Thanks for the info, although as you point out I am no closer. My money is on the black and white although I am hoping to hear from our collegues. There is enough work to be done that I needn't rush to a decision. I'm not quite assembled enough to do the base coats of white and unbleached linen.
After an hour or so with dividers and a 1/72 scale rule I came to the conclusion that the wing stripes are not uniform width but follow the ribs except at the tips. I am interested in the opinions of others on this subject.
Best regards,
Terry

[DavidErrol]

I'm looking at the photo on the bottom of page 18 in Datafile #2 and I have to say that the lighter colored stripes on the undersides of the wings do not appear to be white. *Blue maybe?

That said, this quote from the article, "A.I. at Gosport, Memories of the School of Special Flying" by "Monoavro" appears on page 312 of the Sept, 1938 issue of the British publication POPULAR FLYING:

"At one time there was a Sopwith "Pup" painted all over in black and white stripes. *This was flown by Capt. Foote. *And it is rumoured that it was once seen over Piccadilly at 200 feet, but not in his charge!"

[Terry_Crisp]

David,
God bless you lad! That's the confirmation i was looking for.I am sure the bird would be lovely enough in any other color but I have a mania for historical accuracy. ( there is a part of my psyche that recognises this as not quite sane but it's harmless)
Regarding the underside: Is there any reason to think the colors are anything but black on unbleached linen?
I would like to thank all and sundry for their interest in this little project of mine and I hope that upon completion I will be able to post photos of it and that it will have been worthy of your efforts.
Thanks very much,
Terry

[DavidErrol]

In light of the POPULAR FLYING article, the following from page 103 of AN AIRMAN MARCHES by Harold Balfour is perhaps of interest:

"Another of my pupils was Captain, afterwords Colonel Barker, V.C., D.S.O., M.C., who shared the Canadian honours with Bishop. *Barker was killed some three years ago flying in Canada. *Each Flight Commander was allotted a Sopwith "pup" as his private perquisite, on which he could let off steam daily and take away for week-end leave. *We were naturally reluctant to trust these precious possesions to those on the course, but, for Barker, although at this time he had not gained the fame which he later enjoyed, I made an exception. *My "pup" was gaily coloured and kept in a spotless condition. *Smith-Barry tells a tale of how one Saturday afternoon he was walking across Piccadilly Circus when he heard a roar overhead. *He looked up, and to his horror recognised the bright colouring of the Sopwith "pup" of my flight low over the Circus, just scraping the chimney-tops. *The "pup" then proceeded to loop the loop at about 200 feet, and , after a final display of aerobatics, which held up completely the traffic and life of Piccadilly Circus, disappeared towards Hounslow Aerodrome direction. *Smith-Barry said he could not bear to look any longer but dived into the underground station before the inevitable crash could occur. *On his return he sent for me and before I had got from his office door to the desk, I was under close arrest, almost court martialled and about to have sentance delivered. *However there was no schoolboy pride about me and I at once gave away the culprit. *Barker had moreover, left for France that morning so nothing happened , except that about three weeks later I received a postcard from him, thanking me for the loan of the machine and adding, as a P.S,: "Got four of the painted devils yesterday!""