Sopwith Pup

The Pup was a single-seat fighting scout and the forerunner to the more famous Camel. It was named Pup because it looked like a baby 1½ Strutter. The Pup was nearly perfect in flying qualities. Delightful to fly, very small, simple and reliable with a generous wing area for a good rate of climb and agility. It had excellent performance at height. It was soon underpowered for combat on the Western Front againt Albatros DIIIs, but it could turn twice in the radius of a single turn by an Albatros. This aircraft established the reputation of Naval 8 RNAS in late 1916 when they racked up 20 kills. After removal from the front it was used as a Home Defence unit fighter against Zeppelins.

Sopwith Aviation Company was founded in 1912 by flight pioneer T.O.M. Sopwith. The company's test pilot was Geoffrey W. Hawker. Sopwith Aviation specialized in fighter aircraft and, during the World War I, built some of the finest fighters of the time. Several years after the war, the company was absorbed by Hawker.

SPECIFICATIONS

Country: Great Britain
Manufacturer: Sopwith
Designation: Pup
Type: Fighter; Reconnaissance
Service Dates: 1916 to 1918
Wing Span: 26'-6"
Length:19'-4"
Height: 9'-5"
Weight, Empty: 856 lb`
Weight, Gross: 1,313 lbs
Production: 1,770

Armament

Twin, front mounted, Vickers 0.303 machine guns
Four 20 lb bombs under the bottom wing

PERFORMANCE

Engine: Le Rhone rotary - 80 hp
Maximum speed: 107 mph
Ceiling: 17,500 ft
Range: 250 miles

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