Belgian Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutters

jtisch · 29 October 2005, 01:22 PM

Apparently, Belgium operated a number (8?) of the Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter. It also seems that they where not armed with machine gun(s). My question is, what was their mission or how were they operated? Were they bombers with one crew member (pilot) similar to RNAS usage or where they unarmed two crew member observation platforms? Or, something else?

One more if I may, were the AC received from the French or the British?

Thanks,

jtisch

John Masters · 29 October 2005, 10:09 PM

The Datafiles seem to have a dearth of info concerning the Belgian Strutters but FMP French Aircraft of WW1 mentions that "at least three of them (were) French built machines". It goes on to say that they were assigned to the 2nd, 3rd. and 4th Sq from 1916-1917. I'll check a profile list and see what the 2,3,4 Sq. looked like.

From the Factory on the hill,
John

John Masters · 29 October 2005, 10:12 PM

Just checked...my profile list only has the 4th Sq. but the Strutter shown seems to be unarmed, although it was flown by Willy Coppens when he was a Sargent. Hope that this helps.

John

gilles · 31 October 2005, 03:11 PM

Hello

It seems that sq2, 3 and 4 were reconaissance squadrons.
There some nice pictures at Belgian Aviation Historical Society.The aircraft are still carrying their british serials (RNAS?) and the maker name (Mann-Eggerton?).

http://www.baha.be/Webpages/Navigato..._1910_1918.htm

gilles

John Masters · 31 October 2005, 05:55 PM

Great site, Gilles. Thanks for the link. That one's a keeper!

From the Factory on the hill,
John Masters

Graeme · 1 November 2005, 01:00 PM

Mann, Egerton & Co Ltd built only 75 Strutters (for the RNAS) - 20 single-seat fighters (N5200 to N5219) and 55 two-seat fighters (N5220 to N5249 and N5630 to N5654).

N5235 to N5240 were transferred to the Belgian Aviation Militaire (without engines) as S1 to S6 (S6 was flown by Coppens).

Graeme

jtisch · 2 November 2005, 02:14 PM

Thank you very much, Gentlemen.

Very useful information and some wonderful photos on that website. While looking for something else (of course), I stumbled across the "in memorium" for Willy Coppens in OTF v.2 no.1.There were two descriptions of combat with WC as the pilot of a 1-1/2 Strutter. In the first action, it says that there was no forward-firing MG on the craft. In the next action account, it said that one had been fitted onto said AC.Looking at the various photos, some have the FF Vickers and some don't. Perhaps they were in short supply. It sounds like the early Belgian Air Force were short on many things.

Cheers

jtisch · 2 November 2005, 02:19 PM

Graeme,

You stated that the Strutters, were supplied w/o engines. Do you know what type were installed? The OTF article says 130hp Clergets, but another source says 110hp Le Rhones.

Thanks again, everyone.

Graeme · 2 November 2005, 02:55 PM

jtisch

According to "Royal Navy Aircraft Serials And Units 1911-1919", the batch N5200 to N5249 were fitted mostly with the 110-hp Clerget 9Z, only the odd machine had the 130-hp Clerget 9B fitted.

In addition to N5235 to N5240, N5241 and N5242 were also transferred to the Belgian Aviation Militaire, as S7 and S8, respectively.

Graeme

jtisch · 2 November 2005, 04:17 PM

Thanks again,

J