World One War: Sopwith 'Pup'

One of the least known, yet iconic single seat fighter aircraft of World War One was the Sopwith ‘Pup’.

The ‘Pup’ had pleasant flying characteristics and good manoeuvrability which aided in it combat.

In 1915, Sopwith produced an aircraft for the company’s test pilot, Harry Hawker.  The aircraft was a single-seat biplane powered by a 50hp Gnome Rotary Engine.  This aircraft became known as ‘Hawker’s Runabout’ which in turn became known as the Sopwith ‘Sparrow’.

The Sopwith Company, following testing of the ‘Sparrow’ designed a larger fighter which was more powerful and controlled by ailerons. The experimentation gave birth to a forgotten legend…..

The aircraft was a single-seat biplane with a fabric covered wooden frame. The cross axle supported V struts which were attached to the lower fuselage.  The prototype and subsequent productions were powered by the 80hp LeRhone engine, and the armament was single .303 Vickers Machine Gun.

The prototype was completed in early 1916 and the RNAS (Royal Naval Air Service) ordered two more prototypes then placed an order.  Incidentally, Sopwith was engaged at the time with producing 1 ½ Strutter Aircraft, thus only a small number were delivered to the RNAS.

Further to the RNAS, the RFC (Royal Flying Corps) also ordered a large number to be delivered.

In looking at the design and characteristics of the aircraft:

Crew: One

Wingspan: 26ft. and 6inch

Length: 19 ft. 3 ¾ inches

Height: 9 ft. 5 inches

Wing Area: 254 ft. squared

Maximum Speed: 97 knots (111½ mph, 180 km/h) at sea level

Service Ceiling: 17,500 feet (5,600 m)

Endurance: 3 hours

During the summer of 1916, the RNAS received its first Pups for ‘operational trials’ with “A” Naval Squadron.  First reaching the Western Front in October 1916 with No. 8 Squadron RNAS, the Pup was immediately successful, claiming over 20 kills by the end of the year.  Through its time at the front, the Pup overpowered Germany’s early Fokker and Albatros models.

Due to its design, the Pup could climb easily.  In addition, the Pup had half the horsepower and armament of the German but was more manoeuvrable.

At the peak of the air war over the Western Front, the Pup equipped only four RNAS Squadrons and three RFC Squadrons.  By the spring of 1917, the Pup was already outclassed by both allied and German Aircraft.  The RNAS had the Pup replaced first with the Sopwith Triplane and the more famous Sopwith Camel.  In the face of re-supplying, the RFC had to soldier on despite mounting casualties.  The last replacement of the outclassed Pups with the Sopwith Camel wasn’t completed until December 1917.

In looking at the Pups Home Defence operations of the Pup, following the devastating German Gotha Bomber attacks of 1917 which were ineffectively dealt with, Pup Squadrons were stationed closer to home.  Two new Pup Squadrons were formed specifically for Home Defence Duties.

One use of the Pup is exceptional, if not history making…

On the 2^nd of August 1917, a Pup piloted by Squadron Leader Cdr Edwin Dunning became the first aircraft to land aboard a moving ship, HMS Furious.  Sadly Dunning was killed when on the third landing, the Pup crashed overboard.

The Pup began its aircraft operations in early 1917 and the first aircraft were fitted with skid undercarriages.  The landings were made possible by the use of deck wires which trapped the aircraft.  Pups were used as ship-based fighters on HMS Campania, Furious and Manxman.  Spectacularly, a number of pups were attached to cruisers and battleships, and were launched from platforms atop of the gun turrets.

As a piece of trivia, the Pup was officially named the Sopwith Scout.

The aircrafts nickname ‘Pup’ due to pilots who considered the aircraft to be the ‘Pup’ of the larger two-seat Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter.  The name b=never had an official status as it was deemed to be too undignified.  Despite this, a precedent was set, and all later Sopwith aircraft acquired the names of mammals or birds.  A humorous remark was made during World War One that the Sopwith firm had created a ‘flying zoo’.

If YOU want to know more about Sopwiths 'Flying Zoo' or any other RFC or RNAS Aircraft of World War One, reserve your FREE COPY of DUGOUT WW1 at the links below

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