Sopwith Dolphin 5FI Replica - RAF Museum, Hendon, London, UK
N 51° 35.791 W 000° 14.312
30U E 691258 N 5719776
This Sopwith Dolphin 5FI Replica is located in the "Battle of Britain Hall" at the Grahame-White Factory at the RAF Museum in Hendon, London. The aircraft was built in 1970 with earlier versions dating from 1918.
Waymark Code: WMNM2X
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/01/2015
Views: 4
The RAF Museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm with admission being free. Car parking is available but there is a charge. The nearest underground station is Colindale about a 10-15 minute walk away or a number 303 bus passes both the tube station and museum. The co-ordinates posted are for the entrance to the Grahame-White Factory "First World War in the Air" exhibition entrance.
The RAF Museum's website tells us about the Sopwith Dolphin 5FI:
The world's first single seat multi-gun fighter the Dolphin represented a departure from traditional Sopwith fighter design. In place of the rotary engines so characteristic of the Triplane and Camel the Dolphin was equipped with a stationary 200hp geared Hispano-Suiza in-line engine.
The Dolphin's unusual wing layout with its 'backwards stagger' was designed to provide the pilot with excellent all round visibility. This was achieved by placing the upper wings low on top of the fuselage, the pilot being positioned with his head in the centre where he was afforded a clear and uninterrupted view. Dolphins flew their initial front-line patrols in February 1918 and eventually equipped five RAF squadrons. During the German offensive of 1918 Dolphins conducted ground attack operations, bombing as well as machine gunning enemy troop concentrations.
Popular with its pilots the Dolphin was a highly potent fighting machine but its success was limited due to problems afflicting the geared Hispano-Suiza engine. Dolphin production ceased in August 1919 and the type was declared obsolete in September 1921.
A history of this aircraft can be seen here.