Building the Vintage Model Company Sopwith Triplane

The Sopwith Triplane was a British fighter designed and manufactured by the Sopwith Aviation Company during the First World War.
It was the first military triplane to see operational service. The Triplane joined Royal Naval Air Service squadrons in early 1917 and was immediately successful.
Role Fighter National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer Sopwith Aviation Company Designer Herbert Smith First flight 28 May 1916
Introduction December 1916
Primary user Royal Naval Air Service Number built 147
Engine
Le Clerget 9B 130HP
Type: Nine-cylinder air-cooled rotary engine
Bore: 120 mm (4.72 in)
Stroke: 9B: 160 mm (6.30 in), 9Bf: 172 mm (6.77 in)
Displacement: 9B: 16.29 l (994.08 cu in), 9Bf: 17.5 l (1,067.92 cu in)
Length: 920 mm (36.22 in)
Diameter: 9B: 1,020 mm (40.15 in), 9Bf: 1,030 mm (40.55 in)
Dry weight: 173 kg (381 lb)
This video is a set of stills taken during the building of The Vintage Model Companies balsa wood rubber powered free flight kit. It took 120 hours over 15 days to complete.
Hope you enjoy.

[@ianturpin9180]

Converted mine to 3 channel r/c. A great little flyer.

[@MrStoney61]

A beautiful, clean build. Well done! Love to see her in the air.

[@robbrennanrc]

Thanks for the great comment. I would like to try to fly it but at the moment I am very busy renovating my sisters house and the weather never seems to want to play ball when I am at home home but hopefully one day all will come together. Thanks for watching.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Awesome build video and an amazing finished triplane! This looks like a real labour of love - you certainly show a keen attention to detail. A big thumbs up from me :-)

[@robbrennanrc]

Thanks for the great comment Mark. As for labour of love etc. it’s more like it gives me something to do during these cold winter days while waiting for those well known blisteringly hot summer days we are know for in the UK. Cheers again.

[@manjulajayakody4741]

Rob Brennan would I be right in thinking you have been modelling for years. This looks like a really challenging kit.....your video is so valuable and helpful.

[@angelreading5098]

Beautifully constructed & makes into a neat video,thank you.

[@robbrennanrc]

Thanks for watching and for the fantastic comment. Glad you enjoyed it

[@nickjones4232]

Nice job, your video has helped me build mine, cheers

[@robbrennanrc]

Glad I could be of help.

[@CarminesRCTipsandTricks]

That's an amazing bit of Kit!!! The Sopwith isn't represented as often as it's Fokker cousin, but was every bit as important. Beautiful job on this, Rob!! 🍻🍻👏👏👏👏😎 I look forward to trying one of these soon. Looks like a wonderful diversion. ~ Carmine 💥 ⛽

[@robbrennanrc]

Thanks again Carmine. I know what you mean, up until a couple of years ago I had no idea this plane exsisted. Yes it is a great diversion for a couple of weeks minimum for each build.

[@robbrennanrc]

Cool man. I have a Sopwith Camel waiting for after I finish the Corsair. Thanks again for watching and your support Carmine.

[@adarshlakshman4715]

@@robbrennanrc please,please,please do the camel!

[@stephennicolaisen4652]

Where do you Find the square strip for the middle upper wing section

[@lochlanwilson742]

Could you explain the R5 assembly on the middle wing?

[@baptister3268]

Did you find the solution ? I don't understand either

[@theamazingengineer1901]

How did you do the decals? Did you paint them or use the paper ones supplied

[@robbrennanrc]

Hi I used the paper ones supplied and glued them with a glue stick.

[@georgesmith4509]

well done! is the kit still available and where do I get it???

[@robbrennanrc]

Many thanks. Yes they are available and they are produced by 'The Vintage Model Company' you can order from their web site www.vintagemodelcompany.com Hope this helps

[@britinozoz]

Now that is a nice build . well done sir.

[@robbrennanrc]

Many thanks Chris. She does look great. Fitting the wings were the fiddliest on this build for me.

[@britinozoz]

I have a DR1 of a similar size and the lining up of the wings was also a major prob.You just must get them all lined up correctly ..otherwise....who knows what will happen :)) @@robbrennanrc

[@adarshlakshman4715]

can you please post a video on how you paint the black prop to look like wood

[@robbrennanrc]

Hi my friend. I have just had a look and have found some footage of painting a prop. However in the raw state it is over an hour long and before I started to talk through the process. So it will take me while to edit it down before I can post it but I will let you know when I do if that's OK

[@adarshlakshman4715]

@@robbrennanrc thanks very much,friend!

[@timjones7702]

Could you also do the Sopwith Camel biplane or are they virtually the same?

[@stevetheduck1425]

The Sopwith Triplane is derived from the Sopwith 'Pup', itself derived from the Sopwith '1 1/2 - Strutter' observation two-seater. These are all the nicknames, as Sopwith called them 'F.1' and so on. The 'Camel' (F.1) was a new-build, essentially a revision of the 'Pup' but much stronger, and led on to the Sopwith 'Snipe', which was the principle fighter for a few years after WWI.

[@demogamez296]

Wow man, how do you get this done?! I realy want to make one of these too.....but the problem is.....im 14 years old......i dont know if i can do this too.........

[@robbrennanrc]

Hi Demogamez. Thanks for your comment. To be honest its just time and a lot of patience.. But if you do want to have ago then I would recommend you check out The Vintage Model Company web site's Magnificent Flying Machines range of kits. The build guides are really excellent and they start at only 25 pounds. All the parts are laser cut and fit together really well.

[@demogamez296]

Rob Brennan thank you for the tip!, i will look up the website!