As part of the Museum’s Adopt-a-Plane program, the Sopwith Pup is adopted in memory of former Museum Director, Olin Lancaster.
Sopwith Pup (Replica)
The Sopwith Pup is the first aircraft to land aboard a moving ship and served first as a fighter and then an interceptor for the British Homeland Defense in 1916-17. Officially designated as the Sopwith Scout with admiral designation as the Sopwith Admiralty Type 9901, the aircraft became known as the “pup” because it looked like its predecessor, the Sopwith 1 Strutter, with 20% less wingspan. The Sopwith Pup had excellent maneuverability at both high and low altitudes. Powered by an 80 hp Le Rhone rotary engine, its armament consisted of a single Vickers .303 machine gun.
Did you know?
On 2 August 1917, 25-year old Commander Edwin Dunning made history when he touched his Sopwith Pup down on the deck of a moving ship, the HMS Furious. This pioneering accomplishment set the stage for modern aircraft carriers.
About our Aircraft
The Sopwith Pup is the first aircraft obtained by the Museum and one of only eight replicas built from original Sopwith Company plans. Flyable when graciously donated by Jim and Alinda Wikert of Dallas, the Pup hung for many years in the Love Field Terminal, before its present home over the Museum’s Cree Main Gallery.

Aircraft Type: British Biplane
First Flight: 9 February 1916
Powerplant: One Le Rhone 9C Rotary Piston Engine, 80 hp
Weight: 787 lbs.
Dimensions: Wingspan 26'6", Length 19' 3.75", Height 9'5"
Performance: Max Speed 112 mph, Time to Altitude 10,000 ft in 14 min
First Flight: 9 February 1916
Powerplant: One Le Rhone 9C Rotary Piston Engine, 80 hp
Weight: 787 lbs.
Dimensions: Wingspan 26'6", Length 19' 3.75", Height 9'5"
Performance: Max Speed 112 mph, Time to Altitude 10,000 ft in 14 min
Video Credit: "How to Fly a WWI Rotary Motor Fighter Sopwith Pup" uploaded to YouTube by the San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives, 2012