Sopwith 11/2 Strutter

Description

Product

Sopwith 11/2 Strutter

Description

Among British WWI warplanes the Sopwith 1½ Strutter occupied an honored place because it was the first Allied fighter equipped with a synchronized machine gun. Designed by the Sopwith Aviation Company in Kingston on Thames led by Thomas Sopwith, it was first known as the Sopwith LCT (or Land Clerget Tractor). First flight of the new plane took place in mid-December 1916 and after successful trials the Sopwith company received an initial order from the Admiralty. Soon the new Sopwith obtained its own unusual name, 1½ Strutter, because the cabane struts with their distinctive W form were reminiscent of half-struts.