Sopwith 1½ Strutter
Sopwith Aviation Company · United Kingdom · first flew 1915 · bomber
The Sopwith 1½ Strutter was a pioneering British WWI two-seat fighter and bomber, the first RFC and RNAS aircraft fitted with a synchronised forward-firing gun.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.7 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- WWI two-seat biplane named for its unusual W-shaped centre-section struts
- First British aircraft with a synchronised forward-firing gun
- Used as both fighter and single-seat bomber
Identified by the characteristic W-form centre-section cabane struts that give the aircraft its name; a tidy two-bay biplane with a rotary engine.
Specifications
- The Sopwith 1½ Strutter has a length of 7.7 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.21 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 166 km/h (103 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering service in 1916, the 1½ Strutter served with both the RNAS and RFC as a fighter and light bomber. It was also used by France in large numbers and was the first aircraft to operate from a ship's flight deck in a near-operational manner.
Variants
Built in two-seat fighter and single-seat bomber versions; also licence-built in France by several manufacturers.
Where you'll see it
Served with the RFC, RNAS, and French Aviation Militaire; quickly superseded in the fighter role but continued as a bomber and trainer.
Related aircraft
- Sopwith Pup
- Sopwith Schneider
- Sopwith Triplane
- Sopwith Cuckoo
- AEG G.I
- Caudron G.4
- Caudron R.4
- Friedrichshafen FF.31
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