Sopwith Aviation Company
Sopwith Tabloid
The Sopwith Tabloid was a small, single‑seat biplane produced by the Sopwith Aviation Company in the United Kingdom shortly before the First World War. Designed by Herbert Smith and first flown in February 1913, the Tabloid quickly earned a reputation for speed and agility, winning the 1913 Schneider Trophy and setting several world records for distance and height in its class. Powered initially by a 50‑hp Gnome rotary engine, later versions employed more powerful 80‑hp Le Rhône or 100‑hp Gnome Monosoupape units, giving the aircraft a top speed of roughly 115 mph (185 km/h) and a climb to 10 000 ft in under ten minutes. Its compact wooden frame, fabric‑covered wings and streamlined fuselage made it exceptionally light, while the use of a simple, side‑by‑side control system helped novice pilots master it quickly.
Although only a few dozen were built, the Tabloid’s success demonstrated the potential of lightweight, high‑performance designs and directly influenced the development of later Sopwith fighters such as the Pup and Camel. The aircraft’s racing victories and military reconnaissance use in 1914 highlighted the growing importance of speed and maneuverability, marking a pivotal step in the evolution of early combat aviation.
Although only a few dozen were built, the Tabloid’s success demonstrated the potential of lightweight, high‑performance designs and directly influenced the development of later Sopwith fighters such as the Pup and Camel. The aircraft’s racing victories and military reconnaissance use in 1914 highlighted the growing importance of speed and maneuverability, marking a pivotal step in the evolution of early combat aviation.
Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1913
Design & Classification
- Manufacturer
- Sopwith Aviation Company
- Engine
- Monosoupape
- Operator
-
Royal Naval Air Service Royal Flying Corps
- Wikidata ID
- Q2118167