Sopwith Pup

Simple and impeccable were two of the adjectives used by pilots to describe this aircraft. It earned the nickname "Pup" because of its close resemblance to the Sopwith 1½ -Strutter. It was a development of the personal aircraft of the Chif test pilot for Sopwith, Harry Hawker. It first appeared in February 1916. It had clean classic lines and was fast and easy to handle. It reached the western front in September 1916 and was soon operating with numerous squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service. It was more than a match for enemy fighters largely due to its extreme manoeuvrability. It began to be withdrawn from combat units in late 1917.

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