15strutter

Wonderful photo of a Sopwith 1A2 (licence built in France) used by a US training unit in France. Stig PS: You have a very unusual way of writing the type :-) Sopwith never called it anything else than 1½ Strutter.

Obviously a French 1 1/2 Strutter, the rudder gives SOP I B 1. The distinctive markings on the fuselage side needs some further research.

Hello Mr Kort The following explanations only concern examples built under license by French companies.
French aeronautics used it in three forms:
- SOP 1 A 2: reconnaissance two-seater.
- SOP 1 B 1: single-seater bombing.
- SOP 2 B 2: two-seater bomber.

74 French squadrons used it during WW1 (examples built in France and imported from GB)

French manufacturers built 4,797 examples under license.
To which must be added the copies directly delivered by Sopwith.

Details of the French manufacturers who produced the 4797 Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter:

- Darracq: 755 (Darracq limited company)
- Hanriot: 840 (Anonymous company of Hanriot aviation devices)
- REP: 735 (Robert Esnault-Pelterie aviation establishments)
- Lioré et Olivier: 595 (Lioré et Olivier aviation workshop)
- Salmson: 300 (Salmson Motor Company)
- SACA: 210 (Aeronautical construction company)
- SCAF: 300 (French aeronautical construction company)
- SAIB: 280 (Limited company for industrial wood applications)
- SCCA: 120 (Construction company...)
- De Lesseps: 212 (De Lesseps company)
- Nieuport: 200 (Société Anonyme des Establishments Nieuport)
- Morane-Saulnier: 250 (Aéroplanes Morane-Saulnier)

This is a Nieuport 12bis and not a Sopwith Strutter. Note the cabane strut different

If this really is a 1½ Strutter it is a real oddity. Why re-engine it? Prop looks short and since there is a Navy guy in front it then has to be blamed on the US Navy.... :-) Stig