Sopwith Pup (1916)

Unbeatable at Altitude

This feisty, pretty little fighter was to become possibly the most loved machine of the Great War. Officially named the Sopwith Scout, it was seen as the smaller offspring of the two-seat Sopwith 1½ Strutter and was christened "Pup". Sopwith disapproved of the "undignified" nickname, but was unable to prevent it becoming universally applied. Eventually it signalled a measure of approval by naming its future machines after animals.

The Pup was famously vice-free, proving docile, nimble and exceptional at altitude. In the thin air above 17,000 feet it remained manoeuvrable and capable. Even when engaged by faster, more heavily armed opponents like the Albatros, it could dominate at altitude.

By 1917, the Pup's single gun had become inadequate against the twin guns of most German fighters. However, its delightful flying characteristics made it the personal machine of choice for many senior RFC officers.

My Picture

I'm quite pleased with this one. I've been working to improve the look of the fabric, and this time I think it's come out rather well. Although there are plenty of pictures of Pups, they're all different in one way or another, so there may be inaccuracies or anachronisms. I took a lot of photos of the example at Cosford, but then my phone did that thing where most of your photo library disappears.

There was an anxious moment when I thought I'd accidentally taken the oval inspection cover from a Camel - most Pups had a rectangular cover. Relief when I found some with the oval version, but I'm still concerned that the cowling might be incorrect.