Sopwith Pup

The Sopwith Pup, officially designated the Sopwith Scout, was a single‑seater biplane fighter built by the British Sopwith Aviation Company during the First World War. First flown in late 1916, the Pup entered service with the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service in early 1917, quickly gaining a reputation for its gentle handling and excellent maneuverability. Powered by a 80 hp Le Rhône rotary engine, the aircraft featured a lightweight wooden frame, fabric‑covered wings, and a simple two‑bay biplane layout with equal‑span wings that produced a low wing loading. Its armament typically consisted of a single synchronized Vickers machine gun, although later versions carried a second gun. The Pup’s modest speed of about 112 mph was offset by its rapid climb and tight turning radius, making it a favored platform for dogfighting novices and seasoned aces alike. Its reliability and ease of maintenance allowed the type to serve on the Western Front, in the Middle East, and even aboard early aircraft carriers. Though soon superseded by more powerful designs such as the Sopwith Camel, the Pup’s success demonstrated the effectiveness of lightweight fighters and helped shape modern aerial combat tactics.

Sopwith Aviation Company

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