The Sopwith Triplane:
ATTENTION: all flight notes are based on certain parameters used in CFS when flying the plane, such as active sunglare, g-effects, and especially limited ammunition rules. Also, the tactical notes apply to modified flight models (the AIR files) and Damage Profiles of other WW I planes worked on by myself to model the real thing. It also assumes that hard-core flight simmers will fly the plane in its proper time period, pitting it against its more common opponents. The flight model was tested in medium and hard settings, and extensively "field tested" against human opponents, with repeated cross checks to historical descriptions of its handling.
Historical Notes:
The Sopwith Triplane was developed concurrently with the Sopwith Pup, and its introduction to combat service sparked a virtual revolution in aircraft design. The Germans were so impressed (Manfred von Richthofen declared it to be the best British fighter of that time) that their design firms came out with a flurry of their own triplane designs. The Fokker Dr-1 Triplane was their response, although it was a serious departure from that of the Sopwith machine. The triplane layout was chosen mainly as a way to give the pilot greater visibility. The three wing concept was to retain sufficient wing area to provide good lift, yet the chord of each wing was small enough to allow the pilot to easily see around them. The latter point also enhanced maneuverability, and the Sopwith "Tripe" became one of the great dogfighters of the war. Unfortunately, it is also one of the great planes ignored by many historians.
Construction of the Triplane was similar to that of the Pup, but with added strengthening to take the 130hp Clerget engine. Wing struts were unique in that they were a single unit, going through the compression strut of the center wing. Such design concepts gave the Triplane additional durability. There were only a few bracing wires added, which helped reduce drag, and each wing had an aileron, which enhanced maneuverability. The center wing was not actually attached to the fuselage. Instead, it stopped short, being attached to the center-section struts, thereby providing the pilot with good downward visibility. The plane was light at the controls and easy to maneuver, being fairly stable like the Pup. Though considered just a little less nimble than the Pup, there were many pilots who preferred the Triplane. Interesting rumors circulated around the machine, including one that said if the plane was mishandled in flight, the wings would fold up like a deck of cards! Yet, there was never one recorded instance of such a thing happening.
When the first Triplane was sent to Furnes France, the crews of Naval "A" Fighting Squadron were so impressed that it was sent up on its first intercept mission within a quarter of an hour of its arrival! The Admiralty ordered 266 machines, but production fell well short of this and only about 140 were actually produced. In the hands of such pilots as CD Booker (21 kills with the Tripe) and RA Little (24 kills) of Naval 8 the Triplane proved itself a deadly opponent. By the summer of 1917 the "Tripes" literally ruled the skies above Arras and German pilots were known to purposely dive away and avoid combat when they spotted the tell-tale silhouette of triple-winged planes.
One particular group which gained fame flying the Triplane was the "Black Flight" of Num. 10 Naval Squadron. This was a group of Canadians led by Flight Sub-Lieutenant Raymond Collishaw, and was composed of five planes named "Black Death," "Black Maria," "Black Roger," "Black Prince," and "Black Sheep." Though only five machines, the "Black Flight" accounted for no less than 87 downed enemy planes in the early summer of 1917. Collishaw himself, in "Black Maria," took down 16 enemy planes during the month of June, 13 of them single-seat fighters. However, historical investigation does not hold up his post-war attempt to claim he shot down the German ace Karl Allmenroeder, since the time recorded when he engaged an Albatros near Lille was eight hours after Allmenroeder went down in no-man's land. Further information indicates Allmenroeder was shot down by ground fire.
By August of 1917, the squadron began to outfit with Sopwith Camels, and the days of the Triplane were numbered. By the end of 1917, the Sopwith Triplane had been pulled out of front line service, although a few continued on in secondary theaters of operation. The Sopwith Triplane was truly a remarkable machine, with the agility of the Pup and better performance of the 130hp engine. Its main weakness was its single gun armament. Only six machines were ever fitted with twin Vickers machineguns, a configuration which seriously degraded the "Tripe's" performance. Therefore, to see a Sopwith Tripe on the Zone with twin Vickers machineguns is inaccurate... especially turning the tight maneuvers of the Triplane as well!
Basic performance statistics:
Engine: Clerget 130 hp
Weight: empty 1,460
Maximum speed: 115 mph at 6,500 feet
Climb rate: to 10,000 feet.... 10 min, 50 sec.
Service ceiling: 22,000 feet
Flight endurance: 2.5 hours
Basic Specifications (vary from model to model):
Manufacturer: Sopwith Aviation Company, Ltd. (also sub-contracted to others)
Dimensions: Span 28 ft; Length 18 ft, 6 in; Height: 8ft, 6 in; Stagger: 18 in; Dihedral: upper none, lower 5 deg.;
Incidence: 2 deg.; Span of tail: 8 ft, 2.5 in.
Areas: Wings 232 sq ft; Rudder 4.9 sq ft
Fuel: Main tank 30 gallons; gravity tank 7 gallons; oil 6.5 gallons
Armament: twin Vickers machineguns synchronized to fire through the airscrew; four 25lb bombs
Typical ammo load: 400 rounds per gun
Primary sources: "Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War I, 1919 (1990 reprint); "British
Aeroplanes, 1914-1918," J.M. Bruce; "Who Downed the Aces in WW I?" Franks; "The First Air
War, 1914-1918," Kennett; "Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War," Lamberton et al; "Aircraft
Camouflage and Markings 1907-1954," Robertson et al; "Military Small Arms of the 20thCentury," Hogg and Weeks.
Fighting and winning in the Sopwith Triplane:
The Sopwith Triplane is an excellent dogfighting machine. It is reasonably fast, very maneuverable, and stable. It's stable enough that it's difficult to spin, so autorudder is not necessary (unless you have no easy means to use the rudder). If you do spin, recovery is simple: straighten the stick and rudder and the plane will come out of it. The triple wing system allows the triplane to almost float in the air. Time and time again, you will think you are about to fly into the ground, and yet the Tripe will just suddenly lift into the air, and you will continue on your merry way. It's roll rate is excellent, and it can turn tightly with the aide of a rudder skid or yaw. It's construction allows for you to absorb a reasonable amount of damage and continue fighting. It's climb rate is very good, and is only equaled or surpassed by the Camel, Fokker Triplane and D.VII, and Siemens-Schuckert D.III-IV.
However, the Tripe has its disadvantages. Its lightweight construction means it is not going to be a good diving machine. Heavier planes like the Pfalz and Spad XIII will easily out dive it.... hence their best way to escape. It is only armed with a single Vickers machinegun, making it more difficult to inflict damage. And its load of ammunition is not significantly high (although there are indications some pilots carried higher amounts and sacrificed maneuverability).
Flying the Tripe on the Zone still gives you significant advantages. It is a premier dogfighter, and is ideal for the turning, twisting fight so loved by Zone flyers. The main danger is to watch your "six" when you cease to turn tightly to shoot up your less nimble opponent. Because you only have a single machinegun, you must stay with an enemy that much longer to take him out. Therefore, precision gunnery is crucial. Practice repeatedly, shooting for what are commonly referred to as "critical areas" such as the cockpit, engine area, or a single point on a wing. This is easier said than done, but such precision is crucial to ensure survival. When you latch on the tail of an enemy machine, you must reduce your own exposure time to attack, and precise shooting is the answer. A less maneuverable machine like an Albatros can take out the Tripe, when the pilot is too busy with something else. The Tripe is fairly fast, but against late-war machines like the Fokker D.VII and VIII, and the Spad XIII, it cannot escape. In such a case you can only get away by fighting your way out.
A quick note about climb rates and speed. The CFS system frustrated my attempts to make accurate climb rates for the planes. Most (but not all) CFS type planes climb faster than they should. Climb rates for this machine (and other WW 1 types) are adjusted on a ratio where the rate is 12 to 15% faster than historically accurate. Although the planes climb faster, the adjustments made them climb accurately in comparison to each other. This was crucial, since climbing (and diving) were principle tactics in aerial combat, placing a pilot either in control, or at the mercy of his foes. Regarding speed, it has been noted that planes tend to fly faster on the internet (WW I machines going 15-18 mph faster). Thus, the AIR file was adjusted to slow the plane down. You will see this if you fly the plane against the computer in Quick Combat.
