Our Sopwith Triplane is a replica of N500, the first Triplane prototype. First flying in early June 1916, it by-passed the normal test-flying and went straight to France to be test-flown in service with A Flight, No1 Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service, where it is reputed to have been sent up in pursuit of an enemy aircraft within 15 minutes of arriving.

By early 1917 two RNAS squadrons, Nos 8 and 10, had been equipped with Triplanes. They were very popular with the pilots, being able to out-climb and out-turn any contemporary enemy scout aircraft.

Only 150 Triplanes were built and they were only used by the RNAS, with the exception of a few which were given to the French and one to the Russians. Their service life was short, by late summer 1917 they started to be replaced by Camels.

Although it was later painted in both green and brown dope, N500 first went to France in clear-doped linen, and it is this stage of its life which our replica represents. Built over a three year period by Ernie Hoblyn, it first flew in 1997. It is currently owned by Gordon Brander.