Sopwith Tabloid
Sopwith Aviation Company · United Kingdom · first flew 1913 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Sopwith Tabloid was a landmark British tractor biplane of 1913 that demonstrated dramatically superior performance to all contemporary aircraft, winning the Schneider Trophy in 1914 and leading directly to the development of the Sopwith Pup, Camel, and other World War I fighters.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.24 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Pioneer 1913 British racing/scout biplane
- Rotary engine — Gnome Monosoupape
- Side-by-side two-seat open cockpit, tiny dimensions
An exceptionally compact and neat single-bay biplane with a rotary engine, equal-span wings, and a rounded fuselage. The tiny dimensions and side-by-side seating — unusual in such a small airframe — are the primary identifying features.
Specifications
- The Sopwith Tabloid has a length of 7.24 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.77 m (25 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 148 km/h (92 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
When the Tabloid first appeared at the Hendon airshow in November 1913, its speed, climb rate, and manoeuvrability astonished observers. A floatplane version won the 1914 Schneider Trophy race. In military service it conducted the first strategic bombing raids by the RNAS.
Variants
The floatplane Schneider Trophy racer was a direct development; production Scout versions saw RNAS and RFC service. The Tabloid's design influenced the Baby, the Pup, and virtually all subsequent Sopwith types.
Where you'll see it
RNAS Tabloids flew pioneering strategic bombing raids over Germany and Belgium in late 1914, attacking Zeppelin sheds at Düsseldorf and Cologne. RFC examples performed early fighter and reconnaissance duties on the Western Front.
Related aircraft
- Sopwith Schneider
- Sopwith 1½ Strutter
- Sopwith Pup
- Sopwith Triplane
- Albatros B.I
- Dorand DO.1
- Farman HF.20
- Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.8
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.