DR1 vs Sopwith Tripe

28 November 2001, 08:46 PM

Ok...just to get something going here (I hope it hasn't been addressed before)....how about setting up a 'what if' scenario of Voss in his DR1 vs. Collishaw in his Sopwith Tripe in a one-on-one dogfight. Who would you pick to win....and why?

For me, I think I'd have to go with Voss on this one. I think one-on-one with him flying his DR1, he'd be one of the hardest aces to beat in any engagement. From all I have read about him, he just seems to be THE pilot who was ideal for flying the DR1. Collishaw was great in his own right...and Voss wouldn't have an easy time with him, to be sure, but I just gotta go with him winning this match-up. I am not totally impartial here...Voss is my favorite German pilot.

I posted this under AIRCRAFT because of the other Tripe thread but I suppose it could just have easily been posted under PEOPLE.

leo · 29 November 2001, 03:24 AM

You picked to giants to contest your "what if" scenario. I think a lot of luck would be involved in any one on one. Who saw whom first? Who attacked? Engine problems? Jammed guns? Collision? Hangover from the night before? Whatever?

Having said that, I would go with Voss. The Dr1 was more sophisticated, had more fire power and with no disrespect to Collishaw, Voss was a magnificent dog fighter.

Ginger. · 29 November 2001, 06:37 AM

"Voss was a magnificent dog fighter."
So was Major Lannoe Hawker VC.What if he had a tussle with young Werner flying a Tripehound?

29 November 2001, 08:53 PM

I neglected to put in the initial post that the opponents would start out 'even' (much like you could do when dogfighting an ace in the original Red Baron). In that game, you could start out at the same altitude flying head-on at each other for the initial pass....and that is what I had in mind. Sorry I didn't put that in the post...but let's assume it's an even fight to start.

And yes...Collishaw could easily get in a "lucky" shot, especially in the initial head-on pass and, Lord knows, he was definitely a major-league fighter pilot, but I agree that Voss would 'most likely' come out the victor.

I'd even go with Voss over the Bloody Baron himself under those circumstances. I think the Baron was probably a great marksman and an excellent opportunist, but I don't think his flying skills would allow him to get off very many shots at a flyer of Voss' quality. In fact, I think I'd give Collishaw the edge in a one-on-one with Manfred, too, especially if Collishaw was in his Tripe and all other things were equal.

leo · 30 November 2001, 01:29 AM

By all accounts, Hawker was a great pilot who contributed much to the RFC. His luck, as did Voss's, ran out before he had a chance to run up his score.

Brad · 30 November 2001, 06:05 PM

Hmmmm... now that brings up an interesting point... Voss or MvR? I dunno... I think Voss would go down. What about Immelman? Put them all in E-IIIs and who is the better pilot?

Brad

30 November 2001, 08:22 PM

What made "The von" last as long as he
did was he was careful and thought
about the odds,and didn't take
unnessasary risk.
The complete antithesis of his brother
Lothar,who would engage anybody,anytime
as long as he still had Ammo.
Lothar should never have survived the war
as reckless as he was.He had a lot
of luck on his side

leo · 1 December 2001, 04:52 AM

Luck and timing are key factors in any one on one. Who is to say who would have won if MvR and Hawker had been mounted on ships with equal performance? The same can be said for any one on one situation. It is great to theorize, though, isn't it?

1 December 2001, 07:02 AM

Hi

I dont know how you decide which pilot is better. AND, I assume that some would be better with different aircraft. Would Hartman's "Coffee Break" style work in WW1? Dunno this stuff.
Simply, the DR1s performance envelope has it all over the Tripehound, given "equal" pilots, the machine would make the difference. A tripe pilot would have to be BETTER.
Perhaps the comparison ought to be things that have more similarity in the envelope such as the Tripe versus a Camel/LeRhone.
Rocky

Volker_Nemsch · 1 December 2001, 07:08 AM

I would definitely prefer a Fokker Dr.I (modified version, Dec. 1917) instead of the Sopwith Triplane (rare two gun version).

To be honest, in RB3 I prefer the Dr.I over the Albatros D.Va, the Pfalz D.III (until the arrival of the Fokker D.VII). And I additionally prefer the Sopwith Triplane over the Sopwith Pup and early Nieuports.

(And I would like to have a RB3 version were I can fly captured aircraft!)