Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The Shuttleworth Collection's reproduction Sopwith Triplane, NAW-1, marked as Royal Naval Air Service machine N6290, G-BOCK, displaying at Old Warden during the Shuttleworth Military Pageant 2019.
This reproduction aircraft was built by volunteer members of Northern Aeroplane Workshops to original plans and delivered to Old Warden in June 1990. On seeing the quality and accuracy of the workmanship Sir Thomas Sopwith declared it to be a late production aircraft rather than a replica. It’s powered by an original Clerget 130hp rotary engine.
The aeroplane first flew on 10th April 1992 and, following a full testing programme, made its first public display appearance at Old Warden on 27th June 1992. It suffered a minor landing accident in 2014 and was repaired in the Shuttleworth workshops during 2015.
The prototype Sopwith Triplane appeared in May 1916 and was found to be highly manoeuvrable with a phenomenal rate of climb.
Both the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service ordered the type but policy changes led to the Triplane only being used by the Royal Naval Air Service fighter squadrons on the Western Front.
Several of the Royal Naval Air Squadron pilots scored many victories while flying the type and it made such a profound impression on the Germans that a specific request was made to their aircraft manufacturers to design and produce triplane fighters. Only the Fokker Dr1 Triplane was built in quantity by the Germans, gaining fame as the aircraft frequently flown by Manfred von Richthofen, 'The Red Baron'. The triplane concept had a brief life and in less than two years it had been eclipsed by the new and more powerful biplane fighters on both sides.
This Video and Audio content is
Copyright © StephenKeeler (HightFlight/SkyHighFlightTV) All Rights Reserved
The Shuttleworth Collection's reproduction Sopwith Triplane, NAW-1, marked as Royal Naval Air Service machine N6290, G-BOCK, displaying at Old Warden during the Shuttleworth Military Pageant 2019.
This reproduction aircraft was built by volunteer members of Northern Aeroplane Workshops to original plans and delivered to Old Warden in June 1990. On seeing the quality and accuracy of the workmanship Sir Thomas Sopwith declared it to be a late production aircraft rather than a replica. It’s powered by an original Clerget 130hp rotary engine.
The aeroplane first flew on 10th April 1992 and, following a full testing programme, made its first public display appearance at Old Warden on 27th June 1992. It suffered a minor landing accident in 2014 and was repaired in the Shuttleworth workshops during 2015.
The prototype Sopwith Triplane appeared in May 1916 and was found to be highly manoeuvrable with a phenomenal rate of climb.
Both the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service ordered the type but policy changes led to the Triplane only being used by the Royal Naval Air Service fighter squadrons on the Western Front.
Several of the Royal Naval Air Squadron pilots scored many victories while flying the type and it made such a profound impression on the Germans that a specific request was made to their aircraft manufacturers to design and produce triplane fighters. Only the Fokker Dr1 Triplane was built in quantity by the Germans, gaining fame as the aircraft frequently flown by Manfred von Richthofen, 'The Red Baron'. The triplane concept had a brief life and in less than two years it had been eclipsed by the new and more powerful biplane fighters on both sides.
This Video and Audio content is
Copyright © StephenKeeler (HightFlight/SkyHighFlightTV) All Rights Reserved
