Sopwith Cuckoo
| Sopwith Cuckoo | |
|---|---|
|
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| Type: | Torpedo bombers |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
June 1917 |
The Sopwith Cuckoo was a biplane - torpedo bomber of the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) of the 1917th
The findings from the Sopwith Camel and Sopwith Pup were incorporated into the development at Sopwith Aviation Company . Although the Cuckoo was well designed, it was only used briefly. It was the first real RNAS torpedo bomber and had foldable wings.
history
The Cuckoo first flew in June 1917. The first Cuckoos were delivered to the RNAS in September 1918. A plan by Admiral David Beatty in October 1918 for an attack on the German deep-sea fleet in Wilhelmshaven by the HMS Argus was not implemented. The Cuckoo were no longer used in war.
An order for 300 cuckoos was cut to around 140 machines after the end of the First World War . Over 100 machines went to the Royal Air Force . Her service ended in April 1923.
There were three variants of the Cuckoo, the Mk.I (a Sunbeam Arab engine, 200 hp), Mk.II ( Wolseley Viper , 200 hp), and the Mk.III ( Rolls-Royce Falcon III , 275 hp).
Squadron overview
- No. 185 Squadron RAF - October 1918 and 1919
- No. 186 Squadron RAF - late 1918–1920.
- No. 210 Squadron RAF - 1920 from 186 Squadron to April 1923
Technical data Mk.I
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| crew | 1 |
| length | 13.91 m |
| span | 14.21 m |
| height | 3.34 m |
| Wing area | |
| Wing extension | |
| Empty mass | 957 kg |
| Max. Takeoff mass | 1760 kg |
| Top speed | 150 km / h |
| Service ceiling | |
| Range | 640 km |
| Engines | 1 × Sunbeam Arab, 200 PS (approx. 150 kW) |
| Armament | 1 × Torpedo Mk.IX with 500 kg |