Two Views of the Same Event, 30 years Apart

     

Fokker D. VII and Sopwith 5F.1 "Dolphin"
Model Airplane News Cover Art for April, 1931, October, 1932, November, 1954, and October, 1960
by Jo Kotula
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The 5F.1 Dolphin was designed to provide the pilot with the best possible view with his head in the open framework connecting the upper mainplanes. The plane was constructed of fabric-covered wire-braced wooden members with an upper centre section of steel tube. The Dolphin was powered by an eight-cylinder water-cooled engine . Armament consisted of two fixed and synchronised 7.7mm guns and either one or two guns of similar caliber mounted over the wing centre section and movable, but usually firing forwards and upwards. The prototype was flown in late May 1917, the first production contract was placed in the following month. Quantity deliveries to the RFC began late in the year. The first Dolphin squadron was deployed to France in February 1918. Production of the Dolphin totalled 1,532 aircraft, of which all but 121 were built during 1918. The Dolphin was finally withdrawn from RAF service mid 1919.

Sopwith 5F.1 "Dolphin"
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Here is a video showing various aspects of the of the Sopwith 5F.1 "Dolphin":

Click Here for more information about the Sopwith 5F.1 "Dolphin".

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