Sopwith Schneider
Sopwith Aviation Company · United Kingdom · first flew 1914 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Sopwith Schneider was a single-seat racing floatplane developed from the Tabloid, winner of the 1914 Schneider Trophy, and a direct ancestor of the RNAS Baby scout floatplane.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.14 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-seat racing floatplane derived from the Sopwith Tabloid
- Single main central float with small wingtip balancing floats
- Very compact biplane with rounded wingtips and minimal strut arrangement
Very compact equal-span biplane on a single large central float with small balancing floats at each wingtip. The rotary engine gives a smooth circular cowling. Distinguished from the Baby by shorter overall length and lighter structure.
Specifications
- The Sopwith Schneider has a length of 7.14 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.77 m (25 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 148 km/h (92 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Sopwith entered a modified Tabloid on floats in the 1914 Schneider Trophy race at Monaco; Howard Pixton flew it to victory at an average speed of 148 km/h, surpassing all competitors. The Royal Naval Air Service recognised its potential and ordered the developed Schneider for maritime patrol and anti-submarine duties. It was the direct predecessor of the Sopwith Baby and established Sopwith's reputation for fast, manoeuvrable aircraft that continued with the Pup and Camel. Gnome rotary engines were fitted in most variants.
Variants
1914 Trophy racer; RNAS Schneider operational patrol version with bomb rack.
Where you'll see it
RNAS operated the patrol version from coastal stations and seaplane tenders from 1915. Used for anti-submarine patrol in the North Sea and English Channel before replacement by the Baby.
Related aircraft
- Sopwith 1½ Strutter
- Sopwith Tabloid
- Sopwith Pup
- Sopwith Triplane
- Burgess-Dunne AH-7
- Gotha B-Type
- Lohner B.I
- Lohner B.II
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.