Wingnut Wings 1/32 Sopwith Triplane “Raymond Collishaw”
Sopwith’s wonderful 80hp Scout (Pup) immediately impressed when unveiled in February 1916 and quickly went into service with the RFC (Royal Flying Corps) and RNAS (Royal Naval Air Service) and long term production. Sopwith’s follow up machine, the 110hp Clerget 9z powered Sopwith Triplane prototype N500 was approved on 28 May 1916, only 4 months after the Pup prototype. It was sent to France in mid June 1916 for trials with A Squadron (later 1 Naval Squadron) RNAS where it reportedly went into action as soon as it arrived. A 2nd prototype, the 130hp Clerget 9b powered N504, was flying by August 1916 and was similarly dispatched to France for trials. Even more powerful and maneuverable than the highly respected Pup, Sopwith’s new Triplane or ‘Tripehound’ (often shortened to ‘Tripe’) as it became known, was an instant hit with the young RNAS pilots lucky enough to fly them. Although superficially similar to the 80hp Sopwith Pup, the Tripe fuselage was designed from the outset for the larger 110hp & 130hp Clerget engines. The wingspan was the same but the triple ‘short chord’ wings afforded greater visibility, more maneuverability and a phenomenal rate of climb. Although initially armed only with a single Vickers machine gun like the Pup, the Tripe could out-climb and out-maneuver the best German fighters of the time, the twin gun Albatros D.II & D.III (and later D.V), and it was faster too!
Model Features:
*Released 9 October 2018 *
*25cm x 18cm
*High quality Cartograf decals for Sopwith Triplane N533
*129 high quality injection moulded plastic parts (same as sold out model
32008 Sopwith Triplane)
*Highly detailed Clerget 130hp 9b engine
*6 Photo-etched metal detail parts
*4 Part 54mm (1/32) resin Raymond Collishaw figure
*Fine in scale rib tape detail
*Full rigging diagrams
Please Note: The product comes un-assembled and unpainted. This will require glue/paint and tools for complete assembly. (Modelling equipment sold separately)