Sopwith Triplane Aces of WWI

Osprey Aircraft of the Aces - 62

Norman Franks

ISBN: 978-1-84176-728-4

96 pages

Black & White photographs

Colour Illustrations
Softback

Built as a replacement for the Pup, the Sopwith Triplane boasted a superior rate of climb and greatly improved manoeuvrability thanks to its extra wing. Indeed, when the type made its combat debut with the RNAS in February 1917, the Triplane could easily out-climb any other aircraft operated by either side. Used exclusively by the RNAS and the French Navy, the Triplane had a far greater impact on the aerial war over the Western Front than its meagre production numbers really deserved. Pilots such as Ray Collishaw, Bob Little and Roderic Dallas all enjoyed success in the bloody struggle for aerial supremacy over the Western Front in 1917.

Norman Franks is one of the world’s leading authorities on World War I fighter aviation, having published some of the seminal works on the subject. This book is the first volume in print devoted exclusively to Triplane aces, and focuses on the aircraft whose design had a great impact on the enemy - so much so that the German High Command immediately ordered their manufacturers to produce triplane designs to counter the Sopwith fighter, the most famous of which was the Fokker Dr I. This book examines the Sopwith Triplane's history from the perspective of the aces that flew it and includes numerous first-hand accounts, detailed appendices, more than 90 rare photographs and over 40 colour profiles and planforms.

Chapter 2 comprises 18 pages dedicated to ‘Naval Eight’ Squadron from February 1917 onwards. It contains detailed accounts of the exploits of the Squadron’s Triplane aces, including Robert Compston, Robert Little, C D Booker, Rex Arnold, G G Simpson, Reggie Soar, E D Crundell,  and Bob Munday.  The book contains lavish illustrations of the Squadron’s aircraft and their markings, as well as rare photographs of its pilots. It is a thoroughly engaging repository of first-hand operational accounts of Naval Eight in the period 1917-18, and very highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the history of Naval Eight / 208 Squadron.

Published by

Osprey Publishing

Midland House

West Way

Botley

Oxford OX2 0PH

First Published 2004

Second Impression 2009