Sopwith Triplane

The Sopwith Triplane was a single-seat fighter designed by Herbert Smith and built by the Sopwith Aviation Company as a private venture, and it was the first military triplane to see operational service. It resembled the Pup apart from its three wings. The prototype first flew on 28 May 1916 and was sent to France two months later, where pilots praised its climb and agility. Orders from the Admiralty brought production in late 1916 and Royal Naval Air Service squadrons received it in early 1917. German manufacturers studied captured examples and built many triplanes in response. The Triplane was withdrawn from front-line use as Camels arrived and served on as a trainer and experimental aircraft.