Light.Matters
ASC_6187
A Fokker Dr1 bears down on the Sopwith Triplane.
Fokker Dr1, 403/17 which was built by John Day and first flew in 2006, replicates the Dr1 flown by Leutnant Johann Janzen [13 victories] of Jasta 6, of JG1. It carries the unit markings of a black/white striped tail and black cowling, with Janzen's personal marking of a 'white snake' line on a black band, edged with white on the rear fuselage. Janzen became 'Staffelfuhrer' [Leader] of Jasta 6 and survived a crash-landing, when the control cables of his Triplane were shot away in combat. After the sad death of John Day the aircraft was bought by Bruce Dickinson and continues to fly with the Great War Display Team.
The Sopwith Triplane is a replica of N500, the first Triplane prototype. First flying in early June 1916, it by-passed the normal test-flying and went straight to France to be test-flown in service with A Flight, No 1 Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service, where it is reputed to have been sent up in pursuit of an enemy aircraft within 15 minutes of arriving.
By early 1917 two RNAS squadrons, Nos 8 and 10, had been equipped with Triplanes. They were very popular with the pilots, being able to out-climb and out-turn any contemporary enemy scout aircraft.
Only 150 Triplanes were built and they were only used by the RNAS, with the exception of a few which were given to the French and one to the Russians. Their service life was short, by late summer 1917 they started to be replaced by Camels.
Although it was later painted in both green and brown dope, N500 first went to France in clear-doped linen, and it is this stage of its life which this replica represents.
Viewing full size is highly recommended.
ASC_6187
A Fokker Dr1 bears down on the Sopwith Triplane.
Fokker Dr1, 403/17 which was built by John Day and first flew in 2006, replicates the Dr1 flown by Leutnant Johann Janzen [13 victories] of Jasta 6, of JG1. It carries the unit markings of a black/white striped tail and black cowling, with Janzen's personal marking of a 'white snake' line on a black band, edged with white on the rear fuselage. Janzen became 'Staffelfuhrer' [Leader] of Jasta 6 and survived a crash-landing, when the control cables of his Triplane were shot away in combat. After the sad death of John Day the aircraft was bought by Bruce Dickinson and continues to fly with the Great War Display Team.
The Sopwith Triplane is a replica of N500, the first Triplane prototype. First flying in early June 1916, it by-passed the normal test-flying and went straight to France to be test-flown in service with A Flight, No 1 Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service, where it is reputed to have been sent up in pursuit of an enemy aircraft within 15 minutes of arriving.
By early 1917 two RNAS squadrons, Nos 8 and 10, had been equipped with Triplanes. They were very popular with the pilots, being able to out-climb and out-turn any contemporary enemy scout aircraft.
Only 150 Triplanes were built and they were only used by the RNAS, with the exception of a few which were given to the French and one to the Russians. Their service life was short, by late summer 1917 they started to be replaced by Camels.
Although it was later painted in both green and brown dope, N500 first went to France in clear-doped linen, and it is this stage of its life which this replica represents.
Viewing full size is highly recommended.