Sopwith Strutter

The Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter, first flown in 1915, was a WWI multi-role biplane with either one or two seats. It was the first British fighter to enter... more

by Greg Hager

Title

Sopwith Strutter

Artist

Greg Hager

Medium

Photograph

Description

The Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter, first flown in 1915, was a WWI multi-role biplane with either one or two seats. It was the first British fighter to enter service with a synchronized machine gun, and its forward-firing Vickers and movable Lewis gun in the rear packed a considerable wallop.

The Strutter was the first Sopwith to make a resounding name for itself. First flown in 1915 and introduced in 1916, Sopwith could not build enough of them and production was contracted from two other firms.

The Strutter served with the Royal Flying Corps, the Royal Navy, the French, the Americans and others in fighter, bomber, and observation roles. The RNAS called it the “Ships’ Strutter” in service from naval vessels.

Presently located at the Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Beach, VA.

Uploaded

January 15th, 2019