Beardmore W.B.III

William Beardmore and Company · United Kingdom · first flew 1917 · fighter

The Beardmore W.B.III was a British single-seat shipboard fighter of World War One, derived from the Sopwith Pup and modified for operation from aircraft carriers and warships. It featured a folding undercarriage to ease stowage aboard ship.

Recognition (WEFT)

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Spot it by:

• WWI British single-seat carrier-based fighter adapted from the Sopwith Pup
• Folding undercarriage and collapsing undercarriage for shipboard stowage
• One of the first purpose-adapted deck-landing fighters in the world

Similar in appearance to the Sopwith Pup but with a distinctive folding undercarriage mechanism; the short-span wings and rotary engine cowling closely mirror the Pup, making the collapsible undercarriage the key identifying feature.

Specifications

• The Beardmore W.B.III has a length of 6.17 m (20 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 7.62 m (25 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 166 km/h (103 mph).
• Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in 1917 and entering service with the Royal Naval Air Service, the W.B.III was used aboard carriers and capital ships fitted with flying-off platforms. It was one of the earliest purpose-adapted carrier fighters and contributed to the development of British carrier aviation doctrine. Its UK origin is central to its significance.

Variants

The W.B.III was developed directly from the Sopwith Pup; a seaplane version was also tested.

Where you'll see it

Served with the Royal Naval Air Service aboard carriers and ship-mounted platforms in 1917–18; a significant early example of British carrier aviation.

Related aircraft

• Beardmore W.B.XXVI
• Beardmore Inflexible
• AEG C.VIII
• AEG D.I
• Albatros C.X
• Albatros C.XII

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