Sopwith Triplane of 1917, surviving Triplanes were used as advanced trainers with No. 12 Naval Squadron. Sopwith Triplane The Sopwith Triplane was a British single seat fighter aircraft designed and manufactured by the Sopwith Aviation Company during the First World War. It was the first military triplane to see operational service. The Triplane joined Royal Naval Air Service squadrons in early 1917 and was immediately successful. It was nevertheless built in comparatively small numbers and was withdrawn from active service as Sopwith Camels arrived in the latter half of 1917. Surviving Triplanes continued to serve as operational trainers until the end of
Thomas Sopwith & Space Museum. His authorised biography is "Pure Luck" (2005) by Alan Bramson, with a foreword by the Prince of Wales (). Sir Thomas was interviewed on 8 November 1978 by the art historian Anna Malinovska. The interview is reproduced in "Voices in Flight", 2006. He was a member of the Air Squadron flying club. Sopwith challenged the America's Cup with his J-class yachts, "Endeavour", in 1934, and with "Endeavour II" in 1937. Both yachts were designed by Charles E. Nicholson. Sopwith funded, organised and helmed the yachts. He did not win the Cup but he became a Cup legend