Alcock Scout
John Alcock (improvised) · United Kingdom · first flew 1917 · fighter
The Alcock Scout was a unique experimental fighter biplane improvised at Mudros in 1917 by John Alcock, combining parts from three different Sopwith designs into a single aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 5.82 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- One-of-a-kind hybrid biplane assembled from Sopwith Triplane, Pup and Camel components
- Built at Mudros by John Alcock (later of first transatlantic crossing fame)
- Flown October 1917; crashed early 1918; only one example
As a hybrid of three Sopwith types, the Scout's proportions are unlike any standard production aircraft; identification relies on historical knowledge rather than visual cues.
Specifications
- The Alcock Scout has a length of 5.82 m (19 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.39 m (24 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
With access to crashed and salvaged Sopwith aircraft at Mudros, RNAS pilot John Alcock (later famous for the first non-stop transatlantic flight of 1919) assembled a hybrid fighter using the lower wing of a Sopwith Triplane, the upper wing of a Pup and the tail of a Camel. It flew in October 1917 before crashing early in 1918.
Variants
A single one-of-a-kind aircraft; no variants.
Where you'll see it
The Scout saw no operational service; it was flown experimentally only.
Related aircraft
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