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{{short description|British WW1 biplane fighter aircraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
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<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
| name=Hippo
| name=Hippo
| image=
| image=
| caption=
| caption=
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
| type=Two-seat [[Fighter aircraft]]
| type=Two-seat [[fighter aircraft]]
| national origin=[[United Kingdom]]
| national origin=[[United Kingdom]]
| manufacturer=[[Sopwith Aviation Company]]
| manufacturer=[[Sopwith Aviation Company]]
| designer=
| designer=
| first flight=1917
| first flight=13 September 1917
| introduced=
| introduced=
| retired=
| retired=
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}}
}}
|}
|}
The '''Sopwith 3F.2 Hippo''' was a prototype [[United Kingdom|British]] two-seat [[fighter aircraft]] of the [[First World War]]. It was a single-engined [[biplane]] with considerable negative [[Stagger (aviation)|stagger]]. It was not successful, the [[Bristol F.2 Fighter]] (already in production) being preferred by the [[Royal Flying Corps]].
The '''Sopwith 3F.2 Hippo''' was a prototype [[United Kingdom|British]] two-seat [[fighter aircraft]] of the [[First World War]]. It was a single-engined [[biplane]] with considerable negative [[Stagger (aviation)|stagger]]. It was not successful, the [[Bristol F.2 Fighter]] (already in production) being preferred by the [[Royal Flying Corps]].


==Development and design==
==Development and design==
In the summer of 1917, the [[Sopwith Aviation Company]] designed a two-seat fighter aircraft, the 3F.2 Hippo, possibly to replace the [[Sopwith 1½ Strutter]] in [[History of the Armée de l'Air (1909–1942)|French service]].<ref name="robertson p228"> Robertson 1970, p.228.</ref> While the British [[Air_Ministry#The_Air_Board|Air Board]] did not place an order for the Hippo, it did grant Sopwith a licence to allow it to build prototypes as a private venture. The Hippo was designed to give the best possible view to the pilot and gunner, which dictated the aircraft's shape. Its [[interplane strut|two-bay]] wings had heavy (2&nbsp;ft 3 in (0.69 m)<ref name="Robertson p236"> Robertson 1970, p.236.</ref>) negative [[Stagger (aviation)|stagger]], with the pilot sitting ahead of the upper wing and the gunner sitting behind the rear spar of the upper wing. The fuselage filled the gap between the wings, with the crew's heads level with the upper wing and cut-outs in the wing's forward and trailing edges for the pilot and gunner.<ref name="Bruce v3 p4-5"> Bruce 1969, pp. 4—5.</ref> The pilot was armed with two [[Interrupter gear|synchronised]] [[Vickers machine gun]]s, while the observer was provided with two [[Lewis gun]]s on a rocking pillar mount. It was powered by a [[Clerget 11]] eleven-cylinder [[rotary engine]], chosen as it was not heavily used.<ref name="Mason p123"> Mason 1992, p.123.</ref>
In the summer of 1917, the [[Sopwith Aviation Company]] designed a two-seat fighter aircraft, the 3F.2 Hippo, possibly to replace the [[Sopwith 1½ Strutter]] in [[History of the Armée de l'Air (1909–1942)|French service]].<ref name=robertson228>Robertson 1970, p. 228.</ref> While the British [[Air Ministry#The Air Board|Air Board]] did not place an order for the Hippo, it did grant Sopwith a licence to allow it to build prototypes as a private venture. The Hippo was designed to give the best possible view to the pilot and gunner, which dictated the aircraft's shape. Its [[interplane strut|two-bay]] wings had heavy (2&nbsp;ft 3 in (0.69 m)<ref>Robertson 1970, p. 236.</ref>) negative [[Stagger (aviation)|stagger]], with the pilot sitting ahead of the upper wing and the gunner sitting behind the rear spar of the upper wing. The fuselage filled the gap between the wings, with the crew's heads level with the upper wing and cutouts in the wing's forward and trailing edges for the pilot and gunner.<ref>Bruce 1969, pp. 4–5.</ref> The pilot was armed with two [[synchronization gear|synchronised]] [[Vickers machine gun]]s, while the observer was provided with two [[Lewis gun]]s on a rocking pillar mount. It was powered by a [[Clerget 11]] eleven-cylinder [[rotary engine]], chosen as it was not heavily used.<ref name=mason123>Mason 1992, p. 123.</ref>


The first prototype Hippo flew on 13 September 1917.<ref name="complete p538"> Green and Swanborough 1994, p.538.</ref> When tested, it was found to have poorer performance than the [[Bristol F.2 Fighter]] which was already in service and had sluggish controls.<ref name="Bruce v3 p5"> Bruce 1969, p.5.</ref> Despite these results, which meant that there was little chance of it being built for the [[Royal Flying Corps]], Sopwith rebuilt the Hippo, with increased [[Dihedral (aircraft)|dihedral]] on the upper wing, reduced wing stagger and an enlarged fin. The crude rocking pillar mount for the gunner's Lewis guns was replaced by a more conventional [[Scarff ring]] mounting a single Lewis gun.<ref name="Bruce v3 p5-6"> Bruce 1969, pp. 5—6.</ref> The rebuilt prototype flew in April 1918, with a second prototype following in June. No further production followed.<ref name="complete p538"/>{{ref label|Note1|a|a}}
The first prototype Hippo flew on 13 September 1917.<ref name=gs538>Green and Swanborough 1994, p. 538.</ref> When tested, it was found to have sluggish controls and poorer performance than the [[Bristol F.2 Fighter]] which was already in service.<ref>Bruce 1969, p. 5.</ref> Despite these results, which meant that there was little chance of it being built for the [[Royal Flying Corps]], Sopwith rebuilt the Hippo, with increased [[Dihedral (aircraft)|dihedral]] on the upper wing, reduced wing stagger and an enlarged tailfin. The crude rocking pillar mount for the gunner's Lewis guns was replaced by a more conventional [[Scarff ring]] mounting a single Lewis gun.<ref>Bruce 1969, pp. 5–6.</ref> The rebuilt prototype flew in April 1918, with a second prototype following in June. No further production followed.<ref name=gs538/>{{ref label|Note1|a|a}}


==Specifications ==
==Specifications==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=British Aeroplanes 1914–18<ref>Bruce 1957, p. 621.</ref>
|prime units?=imp
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|crew=Two
{{aircraft specifications
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|ref=British Aeroplanes 1914-18<ref name="Bruce British p621"> Bruce 1957, p. 621.</ref>
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|area alt= 31.6
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|empty weight main= 1,481 lb
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|empty weight alt= 673 kg
|empty weight lb=1481
|loaded weight main= 2,590 lb
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|loaded weight alt= 1,177 kg
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=2590
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|fuel capacity={{convert|40.5|impgal|USgal L|abbr=on}}
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|more general=
<!--
|engine (prop)=[[Clerget 11]]Eb
Powerplant
|type of prop= 11-cylinder [[rotary engine]]
-->
|number of props=1<!-- ditto number of engines-->
|eng1 number=1
|power main= 200 hp
|eng1 name=[[Clerget 11Eb]]
|power alt=149 kW
|eng1 type=11-cylinder [[rotary engine]]
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|max speed main= 115 mph
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|max speed alt=100 knots, 185 km/h

|max speed more= at 10,000 ft (3,050 m)
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<!--
Armament
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**2× forward firing [[.303 British|.303 in]] [[Vickers gun]]s
**2× forward firing [[.303 British|.303 in]] [[Vickers gun]]s
**1× .303 in [[Lewis gun]] on [[Scarff ring]] in rear cockpit
**1× .303 in [[Lewis gun]] on [[Scarff ring]] in rear cockpit
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|rockets=
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==Notes==
==Notes==
{{note label|Note1|a|a}} Some sources suggest that, rather than a rebuilt first prototype, that the Hippo with reduced stagger was a new aircraft.<ref name="robertson p228"/><ref name="Mason p123"/>
{{note label|Note1|a|a}} Some sources suggest that, rather than a rebuilt first prototype, that the Hippo with reduced stagger was a new aircraft.<ref name=robertson228/><ref name=mason123/>
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==References==
==References==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
*Bruce, J.M. ''British Aeroplanes 1914-18''. London:Putnam, 1957.
*Bruce, J. M. ''British Aeroplanes 1914–18''. London: Putnam, 1957.
*Bruce, J.M. ''War Planes of the First World War: Volume Three Fighters''. London:Macdonald, 1969. ISBN 0356 01490 8.
*Bruce, J. M. ''War Planes of the First World War: Volume Three Fighters''. London: Macdonald, 1969. {{ISBN|0-356-01490-8}}.
*Green, William and Swanborough, Gordon. ''The Complete Book of Fighters''. New York:Smithmark, 1994. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8.
*Green, William, and Swanborough, Gordon. ''The Complete Book of Fighters''. New York: Smithmark, 1994. {{ISBN|0-8317-3939-8}}.
*Mason, Francis K. ''The British Fighter since 1912''. Annapolis, USA:Naval Institute Press, 1992. ISBN 1-55750-082-7.
*Mason, Francis K. ''The British Fighter since 1912''. Annapolis, USA: Naval Institute Press, 1992. {{ISBN|1-55750-082-7}}.
*Robertson, Bruce. ''Sopwith-The Man and his Aircraft''. Letchworth, UK:Air Review, 1970. ISBN 0 900 435 15 1.
*Robertson, Bruce. ''Sopwith-The Man and his Aircraft''. Letchworth, UK: Air Review, 1970. {{ISBN|0-900435-15-1}}.
{{refend}}
{{refend}}

<!-- ==External links== -->
<!-- ==External links== -->



{{Sopwith Aviation Company aircraft}}
{{Sopwith Aviation Company aircraft}}
{{wwi-air}}
{{Aviation lists}}


[[Category:British fighter aircraft 1910–1919]]
[[Category:1910s British fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:Sopwith aircraft|Hippo]]
[[Category:Sopwith aircraft|Hippo]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1917]]
[[Category:Rotary-engined aircraft]]
[[Category:Biplanes with negative stagger]]

Latest revision as of 21:44, 3 March 2024

Hippo
Role Two-seat fighter aircraft
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer Sopwith Aviation Company
First flight 13 September 1917
Status Prototype
Number built 2

The Sopwith 3F.2 Hippo was a prototype British two-seat fighter aircraft of the First World War. It was a single-engined biplane with considerable negative stagger. It was not successful, the Bristol F.2 Fighter (already in production) being preferred by the Royal Flying Corps.

Development and design

[edit]

In the summer of 1917, the Sopwith Aviation Company designed a two-seat fighter aircraft, the 3F.2 Hippo, possibly to replace the Sopwith 1½ Strutter in French service.[1] While the British Air Board did not place an order for the Hippo, it did grant Sopwith a licence to allow it to build prototypes as a private venture. The Hippo was designed to give the best possible view to the pilot and gunner, which dictated the aircraft's shape. Its two-bay wings had heavy (2 ft 3 in (0.69 m)[2]) negative stagger, with the pilot sitting ahead of the upper wing and the gunner sitting behind the rear spar of the upper wing. The fuselage filled the gap between the wings, with the crew's heads level with the upper wing and cutouts in the wing's forward and trailing edges for the pilot and gunner.[3] The pilot was armed with two synchronised Vickers machine guns, while the observer was provided with two Lewis guns on a rocking pillar mount. It was powered by a Clerget 11 eleven-cylinder rotary engine, chosen as it was not heavily used.[4]

The first prototype Hippo flew on 13 September 1917.[5] When tested, it was found to have sluggish controls and poorer performance than the Bristol F.2 Fighter which was already in service.[6] Despite these results, which meant that there was little chance of it being built for the Royal Flying Corps, Sopwith rebuilt the Hippo, with increased dihedral on the upper wing, reduced wing stagger and an enlarged tailfin. The crude rocking pillar mount for the gunner's Lewis guns was replaced by a more conventional Scarff ring mounting a single Lewis gun.[7] The rebuilt prototype flew in April 1918, with a second prototype following in June. No further production followed.[5][a]

Specifications

[edit]

Data from British Aeroplanes 1914–18[8]

General characteristics

  • Crew: Two
  • Length: 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m)
  • Wingspan: 38 ft 9 in (11.81 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m)
  • Wing area: 340 sq ft (32 m2)
  • Empty weight: 1,481 lb (672 kg)
  • Gross weight: 2,590 lb (1,175 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 40.5 imp gal (48.6 US gal; 184 L)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Clerget 11Eb 11-cylinder rotary engine, 200 hp (150 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 115.5 mph (185.9 km/h, 100.4 kn) at 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
  • Service ceiling: 17,000 ft (5,200 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,000 ft/min (5.1 m/s)
  • Time to altitude: 13 min 25 s to 10,000 ft (3,000 m)

Armament

See also

[edit]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Notes

[edit]

a Some sources suggest that, rather than a rebuilt first prototype, that the Hippo with reduced stagger was a new aircraft.[1][4]

  1. ^ a b Robertson 1970, p. 228.
  2. ^ Robertson 1970, p. 236.
  3. ^ Bruce 1969, pp. 4–5.
  4. ^ a b Mason 1992, p. 123.
  5. ^ a b Green and Swanborough 1994, p. 538.
  6. ^ Bruce 1969, p. 5.
  7. ^ Bruce 1969, pp. 5–6.
  8. ^ Bruce 1957, p. 621.

References

[edit]
  • Bruce, J. M. British Aeroplanes 1914–18. London: Putnam, 1957.
  • Bruce, J. M. War Planes of the First World War: Volume Three Fighters. London: Macdonald, 1969. ISBN 0-356-01490-8.
  • Green, William, and Swanborough, Gordon. The Complete Book of Fighters. New York: Smithmark, 1994. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8.
  • Mason, Francis K. The British Fighter since 1912. Annapolis, USA: Naval Institute Press, 1992. ISBN 1-55750-082-7.
  • Robertson, Bruce. Sopwith-The Man and his Aircraft. Letchworth, UK: Air Review, 1970. ISBN 0-900435-15-1.
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