The Sopwith Aviation Company, founded in England in 1912 by Sir Thomas Octave Murdoch, provided more than 16,000 airplanes during World War I. In addition to the British Royal Naval Air Service, and the Royal Flying Corps, Sopwith airplanes were also used by the French, Belgian, and American forces during the war. Shown below are some museum exhibits of Sopwith airplanes.
Sopwith Triplane
This airplane was on display in the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. One pilot, on seeing the Sopwith Triplane for the first time, described it as “an intoxicated flight of stairs.” However, the plane could turn around in a short period of time, an advantage in an aerial dogfight.
Sopwith
This airplane was on display in the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California.
Sopwith Pup
This airplane was on display in the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. Some pilots called this “the perfect plane.”
1916 Sopwith Scout
This airplane was on display in the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM) in Hood River, Oregon.
Sopwith F.1 Camel
This replica airplane was on display in the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.
The Sopwith F.1 Camel is generally considered the finest British fighter of World War I. The Camel had amazing maneuverability which enabled skilled pilots to make more kills. The Camel entered service in 1917 with both the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps. This aircraft has a maximum speed of 113 mph and a range of about 300 miles.
Sopwith 7.F.1 Snipe
This airplane was on display in the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. The Snipe was built as a replacement for the Sopwith Camel. The Snipe arrived relatively late in the war—1918—and after the war continued to be used by the Royal Air Force.
More airplanes
Museums 201: The Curtiss Jenny Airplane (photo diary)
Museums 201: Piper Cubs (Photo Diary)
Museums 201: World War I Fokker Airplanes (photo diary)
Museums 101: 1930s Biplanes (Photo Diary)
Evergreen Aviation: Biplanes (photo diary)
Stonehenge Air Museum: Biplanes (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Vintage Aircraft in the Museum of Mountain Flying (Photo Diary)
WAAAM: Early Airplanes (Photo Diary)