Sopwith 1½ Strutter

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History

The Sopwith 1½ Strutter finds its origin from a Sopwith design from December 1914. This was a small two-seat biplane with a 80 hp Gnome rotary engine. This aircraft was known as "Sigrist Bus"

The Sigrist Bus formed the base for a new larger aircraft, the Sopwith LCT (Land Clerget Tractor) with a 110 hp LeClerget. As with the Sigrist Bus both upper wing-halves were connected to the fuselage by a couple of smaller and larger struts, which together formed a W. The nickname soon became 1½ Strutter.

The first prototype made its maiden flight in January 1916.

The pilot and the observer sat in a separated tandem.

The observer had a movable gun available and the pilot had a fixed synchronized Vickers machine-gun. Initially the type of synchronization system varied and had some teething problems.

The aircraft could carry a bomb-load of four 10 kg bombs under the wings.

Versions.

The French aircraft was the largest customer of the Sopwith 1½ Strutter. It was ordered to succeed the Farman.

The Sopwith 1½ Strutter was built in France in three versions:

Sopwith 1.A2 1½ Strutter:: a two seat scout;
Sopwith 1.B2 1½ Strutter:: a two seat bomber;
Sopwith 1.B1 1½ Strutter:: a single seat bomber.

Also in Russia the Sopwith 1½ Strutter was built under license by Duks and Lebedev in a quantity of 100 examples. Also large amount s were delivered to Russia by Britain and France.

In Britain about 1500 examples were built for the RFC and RNAS and in France between 4200 and 4500 examples were built.

Variants

Sopwith Type 9400:: official Navy designation for two seat version.
Sopwith Type 9700:: naval designation for single seat bomber.
Sopwith Two-seater:: Official RFC designation.
Sopwith 1½ Strutter:: unofficial name for two seat reconnaissance version and bomber.
Sopwith Comic:: Single seat air defence fighter for home front.
Ship Strutter:: carrier version.
SOP. 1:: French version.
LeO 1:: Lioré et Olivier license version.
So-shiki Model 1:: Japanese license of bomber version.
So-Shiki Model 2:: Japanese license of reconnaissance version.

Technical information Sopwith-Hanriot 1.B1 1½ Strutter
Dimensions:
Length:	7,7 m	Wingspan:	10,21 m
Height:	3,12 m	Wing area:	32,14 m²
Weights:
Empty weight:	570 kg	Max. start weight:	975 kg
Performances:
Max. speed:	164 km/hr	Rate of climb:	- m/min
Range:	565 km	Service ceiling:	3960 m
Miscellaneous:
Engine type:	One le Clerget 9B rated 130 hp
Crew:	One aviator
Armament:	One fixed forward firing .303 inch Vickers machine gun

Technical information Sopwith 1½ Strutter
Dimensions:
Length:	7,7 m	Wingspan:	10,21 m
Height:	3,12 m	Wing area:	32,14 m²
Weights:
Empty weight:	592 kg	Max. start weight:	975 kg
Performances:
Max. speed:	164 km/hr	Rate of climb:	- m/min
Range:	565 km	Service ceiling:	3960 m
Miscellaneous:
Engine type:	One le Clerget 9B rated 130 hp
Crew:	Two men: one aviator plus one observer/air gunner
Armament:	One or two fixed forward firing .303 inch Vickers machine gun(s); 60 kg bombs

The first Sopwith 1½ Strutter, with RNAS serial 9396 "A2" landed August 25, 1916 near Schoondijke and was interned as LA33.
A second aircraft also from the RNAS, with serial 9420, made an emergency landing on September 17, 1916 near Westkapelle and was interned as LA38.

A third examples, again from the RNAS with serial 9376 was grounded near Oostburg and entered Dutch service as LA42. Noteworthy is that this was the first production Strutter.

A fourth example with RNAS serial N5154 "Firefly" landed May 12, 1917 near Cadzand. This aircraft was equipped with a radio-receiver and transmitter. It was interned as LA34 [this serial was previously used by the Fokker A1, which was withdrawn from use].

The fifth and last 1½ Strutter was a French aircraft, built by Hanriot. This aircraft with serial 115, landed on July 7, 1917 near Beringen and entered service as LA45. It was a single seat plane. It had a Swan on the fuselage and inscription "Je t'sens bien".

Sopwith Hanriot I B.1 (1½Strutter) LA45, rechts voor. Ex 115 Armée de l' Air, december 1917 reg. S701. Achter het toestel staat een Fokker D.III met oranje bollen.

Sopwith Hanriot I B.1 (1½Strutter) LA45.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Sopwith Hanriot I B.1 (1½Strutter) LA45. Ex 115 Armée de l' Air, december 1917. Op de achtergrond een Albatros C.X.

Sopwith-Hanriot I B.1 (1½ Strutter) LA45.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Sopwith Hanriot I B.1 (1½ Strutter) LA45. Detail of the cockpit, machine gun on the upper wings and (opened) inspection panels in the fuselage.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Sopwith 1½ Strutter van de LVA Soesterberg, op bezoek MVK de Kooy 1919. Was een geïnterneerd vliegtuig

Sopwith 1½ Strutter visiting Naval air station De Kooy in 1919.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Sopwith 1½ Strutter, S24 from the LVA Soesterberg on loan at naval air station De Kooy in 1919.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Sopwith 1½Strutter met registratienummer LA33. Registratienummer RNAS was 9396. Mitrailleur op de bovenvleugel, meteoinstrumenten rechts onder de bovenvleugel.

Sopwith 1½Strutter, serial LA33, ex RNAS 9396. Note he machine-gun mounted on the wing and the meteorological instruments at the right of the upper wing.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Sopwith 1½Strutter serial LA33.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Sopwith 1½Strutter LA42. Ex 9376 van de RNAS, in december 1917 met registratie S412. Rechts een Sopwith Hanriot LA45.

Sopwith 1½Strutter LA42. Ex RNAS 9376 December 1917, now registered S412. At the right the Sopwith Hanriot LA45.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Sopwith 1½ Strutter
Serial	2nd Serial	RFC / RNAS Serial	Date in service	Date out of service
LA33		9396	25-08-1916	02-1917
LA34	S-413	N5154	12-05-1917
LA38	S-24	9420	17-09-1916
LA41	S-412	9376	22-04-1917

Sopwith-Hanriot 1.B1 1½ Strutter
Serial	2nd Serial	Constr. nr.	French Serial	Date in service	Date out of service	Notes
LA45	S701	-	115	07-07-1917

1/72nd Scale

Kits

Classic Planes
- Kit YY: Vacu formed kit of a Sopwith 1½ strutter
Eastern Express
- Kit 72158: Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter "Single Seat Bomber"
Flashback
- Kit KLH7962: Sopwith 1B1 1½ Strutter)
- Kit KLH7961: Sopwith 1A2 1½ Strutter)
Merlin Models
- Kit xx: Sopwith 1½ strutter
Toko
- Kit 140: Sopwith 1½ Strutter "Comic Fighter"
- Kit 118: Sopwith 1½ Strutter "Two Seat Fighter"
- Kit 138: Sopwith 1½ Strutter "Trainer"
- Kit 139: Sopwith 1½ Strutter "Single Seat Bomber"

A model of a Sopwith-Hanriot 1½ Strutter ,built by Peter Banis.

Modelling add-on

Aeroclub Models
- Set E013: 9 cyl. Clerget Rotary (Diverse WW1)
- Set E081: Clerget 80PK
Miniworlds
- Set A72-09: Double Lewis MKIII MG on scarff ring
- Set A72-08: Double Lewis MKII MG on scarff ring/li>
Part Etchings
- Set S72-085: Conversion set Sopwith 1½ Strutter (Toko)

Decals

Blue Rider
- Set BR212: Set for early LVA aircraft: Rumpler C.1,LA-49; Sopwith 1½ Strutter (LA-45) ; SE.5A and a Fokker D.VII LVA and D.VIIF RNlNAS

1/48th Scale

Kits

Roden
- Kit 402: Sopwith 1½ Strutter two seat fighter
- Kit 404: Sopwith 1½ Strutter single seat bomber
- Kit 407: Sopwith 1½ Comic Fighter
- Kit 411: Sopwith 1.B1 1½ Strutter French Bomber

Modelling add-on

Part Etchings
- Set S48-109: Ombouwset Sopwith 1½ Strutter two seat fighter (Roden)
- Set S48-110: Ombouwset Sopwith 1½ Strutter Single seat Bomber (Roden)
Vector Resin
- Set 48012: Resin 9 cyl. Clerget Rotary (Diverse WW1)

Decals

--
- Set --: --

Scheme		Colour name	BS-number	Humbrol	XtraColor	Vallejo Model Color
Sopwith-Hanriot 1.B1 1½ Strutter
Standard #1	Upper surfaces: Camouflage pattern	Bruin		10 ?
	Upper surfaces: Camouflage pattern	Green		116 ?	X116 ?	70.893
	undersides : linen		Doped	41		70.918
Sopwith 1½ Strutter
Standard #1	Fuselage	PC10		108	X144
Standard #1	Wings: linen	Doped		121		70.819

Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.

Literature.

Nederlandse Militaire Luchtvaart in Beeld. deel 1.	Hugo Hooftman	Pag. 26 - 27	1977	Uitgever Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel
KLu Vliegtuigen: De vliegtuigen van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht vanaf 1913	Wim Schoenmaker & Thijs Postma	pag. 23	1987	Uitgeverij De Alk, Alkmaar
Vintage Warbird no 1, The Royal Flying Corps in worldwar One	Raymond Laurence Rimell	pag. 55	1987	Uitgever Arms and Armour Press, Poole, Dorset
Aircraft Archive: Aircraft of World War One; Volume 1.		Pag. 39 - 41	1989	Uitgever Argus Books, Hempsted
Camouflage en Kentekens	J.Greuter e.a.		1997	Bonneville – Bergen (NH)
Air Enthusiast no.80, The Historical Aviation Journal: Unexpected Windfalls	Bart van der klaauw	Pag. 54 - 59	1999	Uitgever Key Publishing, Stamford