Sopwith Pup Country: UK Type: Fighter Manufacturer: Sopwith Service: 1916 - 1926 First Flight: February 1916 Production: 1770

The Sopwith Pup was a British single seater biplane fighter aircraft used during the First World War. It was manufactured by the Sopwith Aviation Company and was officially named the Sopwith Scout. It was nicknamed the Pup because it looked like a smaller version of the two-seat Sopwith 1½ Strutter, but the name Pup was not used officially.

The Sopwith Pup was used by both the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). At the peak of its operational deployment, the Pup equipped only four RNAS squadrons (3,4,8 and 9), and three RFC units (54, 46 and 66 Squadrons). By spring 1917, the type was already outclassed by the newest German fighters.

Sopwith Pups were also used in many pioneering carrier experiments. On 2 August 1917, a Pup flown by Sqn Cdr Edwin Dunning became the first aircraft to land aboard a moving ship, HMS Furious. The docile flying characteristics of the Pup made it ideal for use in aircraft carrier deck landing and takeoff experiments.

General characteristics