Photo Sopwith

[Buckeye30]

The RFC Machine Gun School was disbanded 13 Sept. 1916 to become the "School of Aerial Gunnery" at Dymchurch; on 1 Jan. 1917 re-designated as " No.1 (Auxiliary) School of Aerial Gunnery".
The prototype was tested at Martlesham Heath in early June then flown to St. Omer on the 13th by Henry Tizard. Looks like the photos were taken sometime in June, the stamp says MG School but by then that was named as above ( I suspect it was just a change of name). Possibly taken on the S. coast before going to France for further evaluation.
To add to the mix, the "Advanced Air Firing School" was formed within No.1 on Jan. 1 1917.
Nick

[Buckeye30]

Just a thought. At St. Omer the Dolphin was evaluated against 56 Sqn's SE5s , there's one parked next to it.
Nick

[Stig Jarlevik]

Nick

According to Cross & Cockade the Dolphin photo was taken at Kingston.
There is a similar photo in their Dolphin book with the same building in the background.
My guess is that the School just issued prints from negatives they got from somewhere. Seems they didn't bother much about the name change either since they kept their stamp....

Air Britain claims the School of Aerial Gunnery and No.1 (Auxiliary) School of Aerial Gunnery were all at Hythe. From where does Dymchurch come from?

Cheers
Stig
PS: The C & C book does not give any Dolphins as ever used by any Gunnery Schools

[Buckeye30]

Hi Stig. No I don't think they were, the prototype must have gone to St. Omer from Martlesham. There was too short a time period for it to have any gunnery training ( or need really).
Hythe and Dymchurch were names for the the same location (the ranges were at Hythe); also called "Palmarsh" in some Kent County records which was a part of Hythe.
I've got relatives at Kingston-on-Thames probably near the old Sopwith factory.


Regards
Nick

[musec04]

Hello,


Currently on ebay is a photo of the Sopwith L.R.T.Tr Triplane at:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/37376962063...oAAOSwgLxheBtT


Regards,


Clint

[musec04]

Hello,


Currently on ebay is a photo of Sopwith 5F.1 Dolphin C.3905 of 79 Squadron at:


https://www.ebay.de/itm/194548389890...kAAOSwDuFho3gF


Regards,


Clint

[Stig Jarlevik]

Nice shot

Must have been just after its landing behind enemy lines 23 March 1918 after being hit in combat east of Peronne.
First Dolphin combat loss
Pilot 2/Lt Clarke made POW.

The aircraft itself deteriorated quickly since other photos show the Germans quickly took care of the rubber from the wheels and dismantled it.

Cheers
Stig

[musec04]

Hello,


Currently on ebay is a photo of Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter 7785 at:


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255314852...QAAOSwIpFh1YCt


Regards,


Clint

[musec04]

Hello,


Currently on ebay is a photo of Sopwith Triplane N5427 of 1 Sq RNAS at :


https://www.ebay.fr/itm/234392577008...4AAOSww6Fh8DHH


This photo may have been seen before as it is one of the options for the Wingnut Wings kit and a colour profile can be seen at:


http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/produ...tid=3039&cat=3


Regards,


Clint

[musec04]

Hello,


Currently on ebay is a photo a a two seat Sopwith Camel F1946 of 5 AFC at:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/11599073780...UAAOSwvA1lYtYw


and Sopwith Snipe E8084 of 43 Squadron at:


https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/thread.../#post-1895890


Regards,


Clint