Sopwith triplane reference pictures
The pictures below are from the Sopwith Triplane replica created by the Northern Aeroplane Workshops. The Northern Aeroplane Workshops have supported the Shuttleworth Collection since its inception in March 1973 by John Langham of Harrogate. Formed to perpetuate the traditional skills, associated with the construction of wood, wire and linen aircraft, whilst at the same time constructing an aircraft for the Shuttleworth Collection. Before aircraft selection could be determined, it was necessary to check on the availability of drawings and appropriate rotary engine. Only then could the construction of a Sopwith Triplane, financed by the Collection, go ahead.
Led by Eric Barraclough, who worked for the Comper, Heston and Auster aircraft companies in the 1930s and 40s, the voluntary members set about construction. The triplane (G-BOCK), more usually referred to as DIXIE, due to its colour scheme, which replicates aircraft N 6290, that flew with No 8 Squadron Royal Naval Air Service, was delivered to the Collection in June 1990, where an original 130hp Clerget engine was installed. DIXIE has been a regular display aircraft since her first flight on 10 April 1992. Sir Tom Sopwith, the founder of the original aircraft company, who supported the project throughout his later life, honoured the society when he decreed that Northern Aeroplane Workshops triplane should be considered as a late production example. This is reflected in manufacturers plate in the cockpit being No 153. As the triplane came to the final stage of construction, the Collection financed a second project to build a Bristol M.1C (G-BWJM). The project which was started by Northern Aeroplane Workshops Jack Smallwood, carries the colours of aircraft C 4918 of C Flight No 72 Squadron Royal Flying Corp in 1917. Delivery took place in October 1997. Fitted with an original 110hp Le Rhone engine the aircraft has displayed at Old Warden since her first flight on 25 September 2000. Currently the organisation is engaged in the construction of a Sopwith Camel. Many parts for this aircraft have been completed and the airframe is in an early stage of assembly. |
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Wings
Wing rigging wires
Wing interplane struts
Tailplane and elevator
Tail Skid
Rear fuselage
Main under carriage
Guns
Fuselage front underside
General Views
Front fuselage panels
Engine and cowl
Fin and rudder
Cockpit
Cabane Struts
Ailerons
The Shuttleworth Collection Sopwith Triplane post crash.
I am a member of the Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society (S.V.A.S). I visited the collection at Old Warden and was fortunate to meet up with Andy Preslent the Shttleworth Collection's Chief Engineer. It was a rare treat and pleasure to spend an hour in Andy's company whilst he worked on the Sopwith Triplane after its crash. The pictures below the Northern Aeroplane Workshop article were taken during my visit to Shuttleworth in 2014. If you are not a member of the S.V.A.S please join as the money goes to keep all of those ancient machines flying. The Replica Triplane 'Dixie' was built by the Norther Aeroplane Workshop for the Shuttleworth Collection. The picture on the right shows Andy hard at work on the Lysander at Shuttleworth his home for the last 31 years (2014)
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The Shuttleworth Collection Sopwith Triplane at the crash.
Northern Aeroplane Workshop
Northern Aeroplane Workshops has supported the Shuttleworth Collection since its inception in March 1973 by John Langham of Harrogate. Formed to perpetuate the traditional skills, associated with the construction of wood, wire and linen aircraft, whilst at the same time constructing an aircraft for the Shuttleworth Collection. Before aircraft selection could be determined, it was necessary to check on the availability of drawings and appropriate rotary engine. Only then could the construction of a Sopwith Triplane, financed by the Collection, go ahead. Led by Eric Barraclough, who worked for the Comper, Heston and Auster aircraft companies in the 1930s and 40s, the voluntary members set about construction.
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The triplane (G-BOCK), more usually referred to as DIXIE, due to its colour scheme, which replicates aircraft N 6290, that flew with No 8 Squadron Royal Naval Air Service, was delivered to the Collection in June 1990, where an original 130hp Clerget engine was installed. DIXIE has been a regular display aircraft since her first flight on 10 April 1992. Sir Tom Sopwith, the founder of the original aircraft company, who supported the project throughout his later life, honoured the society when he decreed that Northern Aeroplane Workshops triplane should be considered as a late production example. This is reflected in manufacturers plate in the cockpit being No 153. As the triplane came to the final stage of construction, the Collection financed a second project to build a Bristol M.1C (G-BWJM). The project which was started by Northern Aeroplane Workshops Jack Smallwood, carries the colours of aircraft C 4918 of C Flight No 72 Squadron Royal Flying Corp in 1917. Delivery took place in October 1997. Fitted with an original 110hp Le Rhone engine the aircraft has displayed at Old Warden since her first flight on 25 September 2000. Currently the organisation is engaged in the construction of a Sopwith Camel. Many parts for this aircraft have been completed and the airframe is in an early stage of assembly. Simultaneously a feasibility study, in conjunction with the DH2 Research Group and the Collection is taking place to determine the practicality of building a DH2. This exercise includes the production of all detailed drawings.
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