Sopwith Tabloid

Tabloid/Schneider
General information
TypeSports/scout aircraft
National originUnited Kingdom
ManufacturerSopwith Aviation Company
Designer
Primary usersRoyal Flying Corps
Number builtAbout 42 Tabloids, 136 Schneiders[1]
History
Introduction date1914
First flight1913
Retired1918
VariantsSopwith Baby

The Sopwith Tabloid and Sopwith Schneider (floatplane) were British biplanes, originally designed as sports aircraft and later adapted for military use. They were among the first successful types to be built by the Sopwith Aviation Company. The "Tabloid", so named because of its small size, caused a sensation when it made its first public appearance.

A floatplane variant was prepared in under a month and entered for the 1914 Schneider Trophy race where it was piloted by Howard Pixton. This aircraft won the competition against minimal opposition.[2]

Production orders for both types were placed by the military, and although a few Gnome Lambda-powered Tabloids saw limited service in the early war years, some Schneiders were still in Naval service four years later, at the end of the First World War.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bruceiv p847 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Bruce, 1996, p.1