Triplane (Sopwith) Triplane (Sopwith) I have three wings, and I am quite tall. But few have heard of me— Wore roundels instead of a cross— Fought FOR democracy. Pilots had an aerobic climb— When they strove to use my seat— With bracing wires-- both fore and aft— Climb-- “Duck”-- and shuffle feet With my tail up on the take-off run— My cockpit view is good— My rate of climb will take your breath— (My make-up—wire and wood). My Clerget has a distinctive roar— As it whirls us through the air— Some think my bracing might be weak— So diving takes some care. Of ailerons—I have six— (To facilitate my roll)— And when someone does fly me right— My Vickers take a toll. My owners--Royal Navy, My airspeed-- by the knot— My ceiling is twenty two “angels”— Army--my SERVICES sought. Much is made (in later times)-- Of the so called “flying tail”— My design--- utilized that too— (Should a need for it prevail). My given name is “Tripehound”— (I come from the Sopwith clan)— Though my family itself is very small— We’ve had a long life span. One of us in England, Another resides in Moscow--- A few repro’s have now been built— (One might see one at a show). Not so well known as “Camel”— (Another in my line)— Not so well known as a DR-1— [Fokker’s ‘shot’ at my design] But I am content with having been first— And the performance that I command— Can hold my own in most any scrap— When my pilot plays his hand. So I have this place in history— Not a phrase that all can say— And though my time was very brief— I was SOMETHING in my day! Bill Woodall