Sopwith Pup Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces) [Paperback]

Norman Franks (Author), Harry Dempsey (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Aircraft of the Aces | Publication Date: July 13, 2005

The Sopwith Pup was the forerunner of the hugely successful Sopwith Camel, which duly became the most successful fighter of World War 1. The first proper British fighting scout, the first Pups – the Royal Naval Air Service – arrived on the Western Front in 1916. Although regarded as a ‘nice’ aeroplane to fly, pilots who used it in combat gained much success during the first half of 1917. The Royal Flying Corps also used the Pup from January 1917 onwards, with the final combats with the machine occurring in December of that year. This book describes the combat careers of the successful Pup aces, how they flew and how they fought.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I have reviewed a few of the Osprey "Aces of..." titles and found this book to be of the same high quality as the rest of the series. The photography and color plates are outstanding... Overall, this is an excellent book, and I highly recommend it." -Rob Auer, Proceedings

From the Publisher

Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces series combines full colour artwork, the best archival contemporary photography, and first hand accounts from aces to bring history's greatest airborne conflicts to life.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (July 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841768863
• ISBN-13: 978-1841768861
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.3 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #905,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Before the Camel...There Was the Pup!, May 29, 2008

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sopwith Pup Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces) (Paperback)

Sopwith's delightful Pup biplane is the subject of this Osprey 'Aircraft of the Aces' volume by Norman Franks. Introduced into service in September 1916 by 54 Squadron, the graceful little fighter proved a worthy opponent of the Albatros fighters then in German service. Before it was replaced by Camels in the fall of 1917, the Pup ran up an enviable combat record, 29 pilots making ace in the aircraft.

Despite being armed with only a single. 303 machine gun, the Pup was widely beloved by its pilots who found it a responsive, agile and sturdy fighting machine. In all, eight RFC or RNAS units operated the Pup and, interestingly enough, an RFC and an RNAS pilot shared top gun honors in the Pup, both being credited with 11 victories.

Franks' books is replete with tales of Pup pilots like Oliver Sutton, Reg Charley, Joe Fall, Maurice Scott, Bob Little and Arthur Lee 'yanking and banking' with the dreaded Hun. Franks incorporates several first-person accounts in his narrative which help capture the flavor of those long-ago combats as does a contemporary document entitled 'Notes on Aerial Fighting in Formation' by a Naval 8 Pup pilot. Eighty photos and six pages of color side-views complement the text.

Considering it was only equipped with an 80hp engine - compared to the 160 hp engine powering German fighters - the Pup acquitted itself well during its frontline service. Franks' book is a nicely written, well-illustrated tribute to Sopwith's legendary fighter. Recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource, May 15, 2010

By 

V. Pain - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sopwith Pup Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces) (Paperback)

As an enthusiastic modeler of WW1 aircraft, this book provides invaluable information. Great actual color schemes and photos.
Would recommend it if that is your area of interest.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Book has unique content., April 22, 2010

By 

Mishka "VVS Fan" (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sopwith Pup Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces) (Paperback)

First off I like Osprey books. Second off, I wish they would take their blanket statement of "at least 30 specially commissioned original colour <sic> artworks" off the back cover. This book has 20 artworks, 21 if you count the cover. Newer books like the B-2 book are similar. Interesting subject I just wonder why the colorful striped training craft shown in the beginning 2 page spread wasn't featured in the illustrations since they are well under the "30"...maybe because it was a training aircraft. 'Nuff said, on to the book. Overall an average book that I got because it was cheap and I knew little about the Pup. Given the age of the subject the photos are not THE best but probably average for the period. Where the book shines is in showing pilot attire, which is very unique, and also pictures of a Vickers gun testing rig and one Pup with an engine falling off. Le Prieur rockets equipped Pup pic was also nice. Extremely well done Appendices with a wealth of info on the aces and period reprint (in modern text) regarding aerial fighting in formation! If you want a lot of detail on the Aces this is a good book and recommended. If you are looking for colorful illustrations all you will get is 20 green painted profiles (including 4 top views also green) with different loving inscriptions and squadron dots and dashes mainly done in stunning white! Oh and there is a small skull and crossbones on the upper wing of one Pup! Wooo, those crazy outta control Brits! Overall recommended for people that: 1) LOVE the Pup 2) Will enjoy the Appendices 3) Love the color green or 4) just want to read something that isn't WW2! I highly recommend another Osprey book (#66) called Balloon Busting Aces of WW1, that book is great with 48 color pictures (!!!!) of busters from all sides of the war!