One of the most distinctive aircraft of the First World War, the Sopwith
Triplane had an impact far beyond the small number produced (144-148 depending
on source). First flown in May 1916, the prototype, N500, was in France
by July with A Sqn, No.1 Wing RNAS. However it was to be Spring 1917 before
it was to see frontline service with Nos. 1(N), 8(N) and 10(N)Sqns RNAS.
Additionally it was used by 9N and 12N in the defence and OTU roles.
The Triplane came as a shock to the German Air Service, so much so that
Idflieg immediately ordered German manufacturers to produce their own
version of the Triplane - the best known of which were the Fokker Dr.I
and Pfalz Dr.I.
Despite its outstanding performance, the Triplane was to have a short
stay at the front., with most gone by the end of the summer 1917 - although
No.12(N)Sqn held onto theirs until January 1918. The reason for this may
be due to the arrival of the Camel, which with its two guns and easier
rigging had begun to replace the Triplane in August 1917.
Ex-works finish was either PC10 or PC12 fabric with natural metal cowl
and flank panels and varnished ply cockpit deckings. To date the colour
is not known for sure if it was PC10 or PC12, but evidence now points
to it being the latter, therefore I am in the process of converting my
older watercolour and computer profiles to PC12 from the PC10 that they
originally have. Later Tripes were in overall PC10/12.
18 Triplanes were to see service with the French Naval Air Service -
Mike Westrop did an article on them in Cross and Cockade International
36/4.

Sopwith Triplane N500
No.1 Wing RNAS
June 1916
Source:
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Sopwith Triplane N500
FSL R S Dallas
No.1 Wing RNAS
July 1916
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane N5420
No.1 Wing RNAS
November-December 1916
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane N5431
No.2 Wing RNAS
March 1917
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane N5429
No.1(N)Sqn RNAS
Spring 1917
Source: C&C(GB) 15/4
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Sopwith Triplane N5479
No.1(N)Sqn RNAS
Spring 1917
Source: C&C(GB) 2/1
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Sopwith Triplane N5427
Flt/Lt FHM Maynard
No.1(N)Sqn RNAS
Spring 1917
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane N5387
No.1(N)Sqn RNAS
Spring 1917
Source: C&C(GB)
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Sopwith Triplane N5429
FSL John R Wilford
No.1(N)Sqn RNAS
September 1917
Source: Richthofen - Beyond the Legend
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Sopwith Triplane N5472
Flt/Cdr HV Rowley
No.1(N)Sqn RNAS
October 1917
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane N5377
FSL MJ Watson
No.1(N)Sqn RNAS
October 1917
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane N5454
Flt/Lt Richard P Minifie
No.1(N)Sqn RNAS
October 1917
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane N5475
No.1(N)Sqn RNAS
October 1917
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane
No.1(N)Sqn RNAS
October 1917
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane N534
No.1(N)Sqn RNAS
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane N5449
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
March 1917
Source: Fighter Pilot on the Western Front
REVISED
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Sopwith Triplane N5439
FSL E D Crundall
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
March 1917
Source: Conjectural
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Sopwith Triplane N5464
FSL E D Crundall
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
Spring 1917
Source: Fighter Pilot on the Western Front
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Sopwith Triplane N5450
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
Spring 1917
Source: Conjectural
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Sopwith Triplane N5442
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
Spring 1917
Source: Conjectural
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Sopwith Triplane N5467
FSL E B J Walter
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
April 1917
Source: Conjectural
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Sopwith Triplane
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
Spring 1917
Source: Conjectural
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Sopwith Triplane N5464
FSL R R Soar
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
Spring 1917
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane N5474
FSL E B Roach
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
April 1917
Source: C&C(GB) 15/4
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Sopwith Triplane N5493
F/Cdr R A Little
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
Spring 1917
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane N6292
F/Lt R R Soar
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
Spring 1917
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
Spring 1917
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane N5468
FSL CHB Jenner-Parsons
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
Spring 1917
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
Spring 1917
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane N6290
F/Cdr RJO Compston
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
Summer 1917
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane N6301 DUSTY II
FSL R McDonald
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
Summer 1917
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane N5482 MAUD
F/Cdr C D Booker
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
August 1917
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane N5421
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
Source: Conjectural
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Sopwith Triplane N5493
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
Summer 1917
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane N5421
No.8(N)Sqn RNAS
August 1917
Source: Profile Booklet
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Sowith Triplane N5459
FSL Oliver LeBoutillier
No.9(N)Sqn RNAS
June 1917
Source: Osprey Triplane Aces
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Sopwith Triplane N6307
FSL JE Sharman
No.10(N)Sqn RNAS
June 1917
Source:
REVISED 2006
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Sopwith Triplane N5376
FSL GE Nash
No.10(N)Sqn RNAS
June 1917
Source: RNAS Serials
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Sopwith Triplane N5487
FSL WM Alexander
No.10(N)Sqn RNAS
June 1917
Source: OTF 4/2
REVISED 2006
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Sopwith Triplane N5358
FSL Robert Saunders
No.10(N)Sqn RNAS
June 1917
Source: SK Taylor Photo
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Sopwith Triplane N533
Flt/Lt Raymond Collishaw
No.10(N)Sqn RNAS
July 1917
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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Sopwith Triplane N5357
FSL RL Kent
No.10(N)Sqn RNAS
July 1917
Source: RNAS Serials
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Sopwith Triplane N6295
Flt/Lt Howard Saint
No.10(N)Sqn RNAS
August 1917
Source: C&C(GB) 10/1
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Sopwith Triplane
A Flight
No.10(N)Sqn RNAS
June-July 1917
Source: Conjectural
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Sopwith Triplane
C Flight
No.10(N)Sqn RNAS
June-July 1917
Source: Conjectural
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Sopwith Triplane N5910 - 5912
Source: Sopwith Triplane Datafile
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French Triplane
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German Triplane
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