Sopwith Triplane Typhoon

Bristol Type 6 T.T.A. and Type 7 F.3A

For a description of the format and data included in Production Tables, see here.

Type Description and Production Data

Type 6 T.T.A Type 7 F.3A
Projected Variants
Production Summary

Type 6 T.T.A
The T.T.A. (Twin Tractor Type A) was a local defence two-seat biplane, derived from the projected T.T. due to the non-availability of the R.A.F.4A powerplants. It was an unswept biplane with slight stagger, the wings having constant chord and carrying long ailerons on both planes. The wings were of three-bay construction, the inner interplane struts supporting the engines in rectangular nacelles midway between the wings. Twin-wheeled undercarriage units were mounted below each engine, with a tailskid and a noseskid to prevent nosing over. The large area tailplane was the same shape as that of the Scout D, with the same unbalanced elevators, but the finless rudder was balanced. The gunner sat in a cockpit in the nose of the aircraft, armed with two free-mounted 0.303 in Lewis Guns. The pilot, sitting behind the wing trailing edge, had a rear-pointing Lewis gun. Dual controls were fitted for emergency use. Two 120 hp Beardmore powerplants.

Type 6 T.T.A Specification
Span Length Height Wing Area Empty Wt Max AUW Cruise Speed Maximum Speed Range Service Ceiling
53 ft 6 in 39 ft 2 in 12 ft 6 in 817 sq ft 3820 lb 5100 lb 87 mph/ 76 kn
16.31 m 11.94 m 3.81 m 75.9 m2 1733 kg 2313 kg 140 km/h

Production Details
Serial Range C/n Batch
Qty
Conv. Canc'd Notes
2 aircraft built by the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company, Filton, Bristol, Somerset, for the RFC to Contract 87/A/330 (See note 1). Delivered in April and May 1916.
7750 - 7751 1375-1376 2
Total Production 2

Type 7 F.3A
Three seat escort and anti-Zeppelin fighter. The F.3A utilised many of the TTA.'s components, including wings, tail unit and rear fuselage with pilot's cockpit. The landing gear was unorthodox and consisted of one T TA. chassis unit, suitably strengthened, under the fuselage with a small-wheeled outrigger under each wing-tip. Two gunners' nacelles were provided above the top wing, with a forward and a rearward gun in each, mounted on telescopic pillars swinging through 90 degrees to fire on the beam. Probably it was intended to install the Davis gun if this had developed satisfactorily.. One 250 hp Rolls-Royce powerplant.
Production Details
Serial Range C/n Batch
Qty
Conv. Canc'd Notes
2 aircraft ordered from the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company, Filton, Bristol, Somerset, for the RFC to Contract 87/A/442. Cancelled.
A612 - A613 1485-1486 2
Total Production 2

Projected Variants

T.T.
The T.T. (Twin Tractor) was a local defence two-seat biplane, replaced by the T.T.A due to the non-availability of its 150 h.p R.A.F.4A powerplants.

Production Summary

All Aircraft By Type
Type Built New Conv Canc'd Total
Type 6 T.T.A 2 2
Type 7 F.3A 2 2
2 (0) 2

Notes

  1. This per Bruce [2] and Bristol records [4]. However, the RFC History website [3], quoting AIR 20/761, gives this contract number to 8 Henri Farman aircrft serialed 7746 - 7749 and 7752 - 7755

Production References

  1. Bristol Aircraft Since 1910, C.H. Barnes (Putnam, 1964, 1970 and 1988)
  2. British Aeroplanes 1914-18, J.M. Bruce (Putnam, 1957)
  3. http://www.airhistory.org.uk/rfc/home.html
  4. Bristol Air Ministry Contracts Ledger via The Bristol Aero Collection Trust Library

Page Revision History

Revised at Version 2.0.0
  • Improved Type Description and Added Specification details.