Sopwith Triplane

[Pips]

The Sopwith Triplane has always struck me as an odd interlude in Allied fighter aeroplanes.

When it was introduced into combat in Squadron strength in February 1917 by No.1 RNAS, it was an immediate success. It could comfortably outperform both the Albatross D.III and D.V in operational ceiling, speed and climb rate; but oddly lost out in a dive. Successful pilots flying the Tripe (as it was known) were among the most successful during 1917; and included such notables as Collishaw, Dallas, Little, Minifie, Booker and Reid. In all (according to Franks excellent "Sopwith Triplane Aces of WWI") 23 pilots made ace on the Triplane, a surprisingly high percentage of pilots given that only four (4) Squadrons operated the Tripe.

Indeed the Tripe made such an impact on the Western Front that the Germans went triplane crazy; designs (mostly unsuccessful) pouring off the drawing board.

Yet despite the outstanding success of the Tripe, it was to all intents and purposes gone from the Front by November 1917. No's 8 and 9 RNAS gave theirs up around August, No. 10 in September. No.1 RNAS finally gave up the Tripe in mid November. According the Collishaw it was well overdue, as the Tripe was considered obsolescent by then. Indeed he claims that rising losses within No.1 RNAS were the result of staying with the Triplane too long. That claim is mentioned in several books on the Sopwith Triplane, not always attributable to Collishaw.

So why was the Triplane considered obsolescent by late 1917?

It can't be because of it's one gun armament in comparison to German fighters equipped with two - otherwise it would have been rated obsolescent way back in February 1917 when it was introduced.

It can't be because superior German fighters had made an appearance - the Tripe was still fighting the same Albatross D.III's and D.V's. The only new fighter to appear (in strength) was the Pfalz D.III, which wasn't a noticeable improvement. The Fokker Triplane would have been a handful, but following it's crashes it was effectively withdrawn until 1918.

Could it be because of the Sopwith Camel? While the Camel was slightly faster, it didn't climb any better, nor had the operational ceiling of the Tripe (excluding the Bentley engine Camel - which was outstanding). It did however have two guns and outstanding manoeuvrability.

Is that what made the Sopwith Triplane obsolescent?