Cockpit audio
Project News Special
History in the making…
T
The intriguing tale of Sopwith Pup, B1807… By Nick Harris and Clive Davidson
ucked neatly into the side of the Tiger Moth Training Hangar at Henstridge is a rare and marvellous example of an aircraft destined to return to a full flying life. It is, at the moment, the uncovered fuselage of Kelvyne Baker’s Sopwith Pup which was airborne in 1917, defending London at night against the German Gotha bombers. It sits on its undercarriage with an 80hp Le Rhône
Above Three of the team behind the Sopwith Pup restoration, from left Jason Nuttal, Kelvyne Baker and Nick Harris.
rotary up front, the bare sides revealing original illuminated night-flying instruments – still working even after all these years. It also has the narrow wickerwork chair. This appears to be too small, but the average height of an RFC pilot was 5ft 4inchs back then. Alongside, covered in protective blankets and resting on a pair of wooden trestles, are the spars, awaiting their completion, and on the wall behind, rows of wing ribs and their upper wing centre section,
22 | LIGHT AVIATION | May 2021
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20/04/2021 15:49
