The Sopwith Pup:
Historical Notes:
The Sopwith Admiralty Scout was developed as direct competition to the German Fokker monoplane during late 1915. The design followed the pattern of a previous Sopwith product (the SL.T.B.P. produced for the personal use of Harry Hawker), and because the machine had docile handling characteristics similar to the 1 1/2 Strutter, many pilots began to refer to the Scout as the Strutter's "pup." The Admiralty attempted to erase the use of such a gentle name, but the nickname stuck, and the Admiralty Scout will forever be known as the Sopwith Pup.Deployed in the summer of 1916, pilots who received the new machine were ecstatic about the plane's handling and maneuverability. The Pup had an unusual distinction of being both a stable as well as maneuverable machine. It was discovered to be more than a match for the Fokker monoplane, and could even out turn the newer Albatros DIIs. It had the best snap turn of any i the war, but its steady turn was poor, since it was underpowered. However, the Pup's primary weakness was in its single-gun armament. Attempts were made to mount twin Vickers machineguns, or to supplement the single Vickers with a wing mounted Lewis gun. Only the latter proved somewhat successful, as the twin Vickers armament overloaded the airframe. The ones with the extra Lewis gun were usually employed in anti-Zeppelin operations, as even this arrangement degraded the Pup's performance dramatically. As a result, such modifications were soon discarded as impractical. Because of this, it is extremely unrealistic for the Pup to operate with two guns on the Zone (or anywhere else for that matter!). Some shipboard models had a single Lewis gun on a tripod mount designed to fire up at an angle through a gap in the wing.
When Manfred von Richthofen first encountered a Pup he noted that the machine was clearly superior to his Albatros and the other planes flown by German pilots at the time. It was only the fact that they outnumbered the Pup 3 to 1 which gave von Richthofen the victory that day. Pups, along with the Sopwith Triplane, were crucial to British aerial survival during the Battle of Arras in early 1917. However, by the end of 1917 it was clear that the Pup's single gun armament was simply insufficient to handle enemy aircraft with twin guns, and the machine was gradually withdrawn from service. Nevertheless, some Pups served until war's end, some in secondary theaters of operation, the rest on home defense duties (with some retained as personal aircraft from squadron commanders and above).
The Pup typically operated with an 80hp Le Rhone or Clerget rotary engine, yet the power was low enough to keep the torque created by the motor at a minimum. The single Vickers gun was synchronized to fire through the propellor (one of the earliest British machines to be designed in such a way), yet the pilot had no firing button on the control stick. Instead he had to reach up and pull on a lever behind the gun. Construction of the Pup was typical for its day, built with spars and ribs made of spruce and some birch. Maneuverability was enhanced by ailerons on each wing, with a redundant cable system which improved survivability during battle.
The Pup was also used for naval experiments, including the first landings on the make-shift aircraft carrier "Furious." Commander E.H. Dunning made two successful landings on the short deck which had been built over the foc'sle. The landings were facilitated by rope loops beneath each wing, which were seized by men on the deck as the plane settled down (contrary to belief of some that the loops were cables intended to mitigate the effects of ground looping). However, Dunning's third attempt was a disaster, as his Pup blew a tire and careened overboard, causing his death. Despite this setback, the Pup continued to be used on carriers, and was also fitted on platforms to be launched from battleships and battlecruisers such as the "Repulse" and "Lion."
A total of 1,770 Pups of all types were built, with over 880 still in operation at war's end, mostly serving in Britain on home defense duties. Many were used as trainers, but despite its popularity with pilots, most were discarded when the war ended. The last known original Pup was serial # C.476, and was flown in Australia until it was broken up in September of 1945.
The Pup was one of the great aircraft of World War One, and there have been few equals to match its maneuverability and joy in handling, all in one package.
Basic performance statistics: Sopwith Admiralty Scout Type 9901 "Pup" (trial report M.31)
Engine: Le Rhone 80 hp
Weight: empty 787 lbs
Maximum speed: 107 mph at 6,500 feet
Climb rate: to 10,000 feet.... 14 min
Service ceiling: 17,500 feet
Flight endurance: 3 hours
Basic Specifications (some variance from model to model):
Manufacturer: Sopwith Aviation Company, Ltd.
Dimensions: Span 26 ft, 6 in; Length 19 ft, 3.75 in; Height: 9 ft, 5 in; Stagger: 18 in;
Dihedral: 3 deg; Incidence: 1.5 deg.; Span of tail: 10 ft, 1 in.
Areas: Wings 254 sq ft; Rudder 4.5 sq ft
Fuel: 19.25 gallons; oil 4.75 gallons
Armament: single Vickers machinegun synchronized to fire through the airscrew; four 25lb bombs; could also be armed with a single Lewis machinegun mounted over the wing.
Typical ammo load: 400 rounds
Primary sources: "Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War I, 1919 (1990 reprint); "British Aeroplanes, 1914-1918," J.M. Bruce; "German Aircraft of the First World War," Gray and Thetford; "German Air Power in World War I," Morrow; "Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War," Lamberton, et al; "Aircraft Camouflage and Markings 1907-1954," Robertson et al; "Military Small Arms of the 20th Century," Hogg and Weeks; "Conways All the Worlds Fighting Ships, 1906-1921," Robert Gardiner, ed. dir.
Fighting and winning in the Sopwith Pup
The Pup is a joy to fly, plain and simple. Light at the controls, and yet fairly stable, it is difficult to throw a Pup into a nasty spin. It will easily turn inside of the early Albatros and Halberstadt fighters, and can even hold its own against the Albatros D.IIIs and Vs. Autorudder will degrade performance some, but it is such an easy plane to fly that autorudder is not needed. Any virtual pilot who jumps into the seat of the Pup will fall in love with it at once. If the plane does spin, recovery is very simple: just straighten the stick. Counter rudder is not even needed in this case.The Pup is superior to every German plane of its time, and is only outclassed by later model planes like the Fokker Triplane and D.VII, and the Pfalz D.XII. However, its single gun armament is a serious handicap, and bringing down a well-built machine like the Pfalz D.III is no easy task. Limited ammunition enhances this difficulty. Because it is light and underpowered (compared to German planes), generally don't try the "dive and zoom" tactics. Use the Pup's superior maneuverability and stability to turn inside opponents. Get close, usually within 150 feet, before engaging with short bursts. Once a good sight picture presents itself, don't be afraid to give a long burst, since it may be the only really good shot you'll get. German planes tended to be more strongly built, and require more hits to bring down. You will find this a real problem in the Pup.
If you are using the Pup to take on more advanced machines (such as the Camel and Fokker D.VII) you must use team work to survive. Late war machines are not only nearly as maneuverable as the Pup, they also are more heavily armed.
