Sopwith Pup Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)
October 28 | Posted by Remembrance | World War 1 Tags: Aces, Aircraft, Sopwith, WorldSopwith Pup Aces οf World War 1 (Aircraft οf thе Aces)
Thе Sopwith Pup wаѕ thе forerunner οf thе hugely successful Sopwith Camel, whісh duly became thе mοѕt successful fighter οf World War 1. Thе first proper British fighting scout, thе first Pups — thе Royal Naval Air Service — arrived οn thе Western Front іn 1916. Although regarded аѕ a ‘nice’ aeroplane tο flу, pilots whο used іt іn combat gained much success during thе first half οf 1917. Thе Royal Flying Corps аlѕο used thе Pup frοm January 1917 onwards, wіth thе final com
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(out οf 3 reviews)
List Price: $ 22.95
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Review by Michael OConnor for Sopwith Pup Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)
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Sopwith’s delightful Pup biplane is the subject of this Osprey ‘Aircraft of the Aces’ volume by Norman Franks. Introduced into service in September 1916 by 54 Squadron, the graceful little fighter proved a worthy opponent of the Albatros fighters then in German service. Before it was replaced by Camels in the fall of 1917, the Pup ran up an enviable combat record, 29 pilots making ace in the aircraft.
Despite being armed with only a single. 303 machine gun, the Pup was widely beloved by its pilots who found it a responsive, agile and sturdy fighting machine. In all, eight RFC or RNAS units operated the Pup and, interestingly enough, an RFC and an RNAS pilot shared top gun honors in the Pup, both being credited with 11 victories.
Franks’ books is replete with tales of Pup pilots like Oliver Sutton, Reg Charley, Joe Fall, Maurice Scott, Bob Little and Arthur Lee ‘yanking and banking’ with the dreaded Hun. Franks incorporates several first-person accounts in his narrative which help capture the flavor of those long-ago combats as does a contemporary document entitled ‘Notes on Aerial Fighting in Formation’ by a Naval 8 Pup pilot. Eighty photos and six pages of color side-views complement the text.
Considering it was only equipped with an 80hp engine – compared to the 160 hp engine powering German fighters – the Pup acquitted itself well during its frontline service. Franks’ book is a nicely written, well-illustrated tribute to Sopwith’s legendary fighter. Recommended.
Review by V. Pain for Sopwith Pup Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)
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As an enthusiastic modeler of WW1 aircraft, this book provides invaluable information. Great actual color schemes and photos.
Would recommend it if that is your area of interest.
Review by Mishka for Sopwith Pup Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)
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First off I like Osprey books. Second off, I wish they would take their blanket statement of “at least 30 specially commissioned original colour artworks” off the back cover. This book has 20 artworks, 21 if you count the cover. Newer books like the B-2 book are similar. Interesting subject I just wonder why the colorful striped training craft shown in the beginning 2 page spread wasn’t featured in the illustrations since they are well under the “30″…maybe because it was a training aircraft. ‘Nuff said, on to the book. Overall an average book that I got because it was cheap and I knew little about the Pup. Given the age of the subject the photos are not THE best but probably average for the period. Where the book shines is in showing pilot attire, which is very unique, and also pictures of a Vickers gun testing rig and one Pup with an engine falling off. Le Prieur rockets equipped Pup pic was also nice. Extremely well done Appendices with a wealth of info on the aces and period reprint (in modern text) regarding aerial fighting in formation! If you want a lot of detail on the Aces this is a good book and recommended. If you are looking for colorful illustrations all you will get is 20 green painted profiles (including 4 top views also green) with different loving inscriptions and squadron dots and dashes mainly done in stunning white! Oh and there is a small skull and crossbones on the upper wing of one Pup! Wooo, those crazy outta control Brits! Overall recommended for people that: 1) LOVE the Pup 2) Will enjoy the Appendices 3) Love the color green or 4) just want to read something that isn’t WW2! I highly recommend another Osprey book (#66) called Balloon Busting Aces of WW1, that book is great with 48 color pictures (!!!!) of busters from all sides of the war!