Sopwith Dolphin

Sopwith Dolphin
Country	UK
Role	Fighter
First Fly	23 May 1917
Built	2072

The Sopwith 5F.1 Dolphin was a British fighter aircraft manufactured by the Sopwith Aviation Company. It was used by the Royal Flying Corps and its successor, the Royal Air Force, during the First World War. The Dolphin entered service on the Western Front in early 1918 and proved to be a formidable fighter. The aircraft was not retained in the postwar inventory and was retired shortly after the war.

Source: Sopwith Dolphin on Wikipedia

Sopwith Dolphin Walk Around
Photographer	Unknow
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	15

Sopwith Dolphin 1

Sopwith Dolphin 2

Sopwith Dolphin 3

Sopwith Dolphin 4

Sopwith Dolphin 5

Sopwith Dolphin 6

Sopwith Dolphin 7

Sopwith Dolphin 8

Sopwith Dolphin 9

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General Characteristics

The Sopwith 5F.1 Dolphin was a British fighter aircraft used by the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force during the final stages of World War I. Designed to excel at high altitudes, the Dolphin featured a unique wing arrangement known as “negative stagger,” where the upper wing was set back behind the lower wing. This, along with the pilot’s head protruding slightly through the upper wing’s center section, provided exceptional upward visibility, though it was initially unpopular with pilots who feared injury in a crash.

Property	Typical Value (Dolphin Mk I)
Role	Single-Seat Fighter Biplane
Manufacturer	Sopwith Aviation Company
First Flight	May 23, 1917
In Service	February 1918 – Post-War
No. Built	Approx. 2,072 (Total orders)
Crew	1 (Pilot)
Length	6.78 m (22 ft 3 in)
Wingspan	9.91 m (32 ft 6 in)
Max Takeoff Weight	890 kg (1,959 lb)

Design and Powerplant

Engine: One Hispano-Suiza 8B 8-cylinder, water-cooled V-8 engine (typically geared).
Power Output: 149 kW (200 hp).
Construction: Conventional wooden airframe with fabric covering.
Engine Issues: A major drawback was the unreliability of the geared Hispano-Suiza engine, particularly the reduction gearing built by some subcontractors, which limited the Dolphin’s service readiness.
Visibility: The innovative cockpit design placed the pilot’s head high, providing excellent upward and forward visibility, crucial for high-altitude combat.

Performance and Armament

Maximum Speed: Up to 211 km/h (131 mph, 114 knots) at sea level.
Service Ceiling: 6,100 m (20,000 ft).
Climb Rate: Approximately 10 minutes 20 seconds to reach 3,048 m (10,000 ft).
Standard Armament: Two fixed, synchronized 7.7 mm (.303 in) Vickers machine guns mounted in the forward fuselage.
Additional Armament: Provision for one or two Lewis guns mounted on the upper wing center section, firing upwards over the propeller arc. These guns were often removed by pilots to improve performance and safety.
Ordnance: Could carry up to four 11 kg (25 lb) Cooper bombs for ground attack roles.
Combat Role: It was a fast and maneuverable fighter, particularly effective in high-altitude engagements against German reconnaissance aircraft.