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Sopwith 5F Dolphin single-seat fighter
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Sopwith 5F Dolphin single-seat fighter
Sopwith 5F1 Dolphin single seat fighter, first flown in mid-1917. It was later used for air support, in particular trench and ground strafing. Seen here is the fourth prototype in close-up view, with the crossbar mounted, and the two upward firing Lewis guns which could swing and strike the pilot in the face -- an unfortunate design fault. Date: circa 1917
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Media ID 14223779
© Hugh W. Cowin Aviation Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
Biplane Biplanes Dolphin Fault Firing Fourth Guns Lewis Mounted Propeller Prototype Seat Sopwith Support Trench Upward Crossbar Strafing
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph showcases the Sopwith 5F1 Dolphin single-seat fighter, a formidable aircraft that first took to the skies in mid-1917 during the First World War. The Dolphin was primarily used for air support, with its most notable roles being in trench and ground strafing missions. In this image, we get a close-up view of the fourth prototype of this biplane fighter, with its distinctive crossbar mounted prominently. The Dolphin was equipped with two upward-firing Lewis guns, a feature intended to provide greater protection against enemy aircraft from below. However, this design came with an unfortunate flaw – the guns could swing back and strike the pilot in the face, posing a significant risk. The biplane's powerful propeller and open-cockpit design are also evident in this evocative image, transporting us back to the history-making days of the 1917 front lines. The Sopwith 5F1 Dolphin remains an essential part of aviation history, a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the pioneering aviators who braved the skies during the Great War.
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