The Sopwith 1½ Strutter was Britain’s first tractor aircraft in service with a synchronized gun. It served widely in both its 9400-type two-seat configuration and its 9700-type single-seat bomber, with both the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Navy Air Service. Perhaps more impressive was the Strutter’s use in the French air service, with around 4,500 built. Unfortunately the French Sopwith 1A2s and 1B1s came into widespread service in late 1917 and early 1918 when the type was long beyond its prime, and French crews were happy when the Strutters were later replaced with Salmson 2s and Breguet 14s. Desperate for aircraft, the Americans used the Strutter in combat for a short time before replacements could be arranged.
Five paintable Sopwith 1½ Strutters and a dozen full-color miniatures are now available at https://greatwarplanes.com, including planes from the British, French, Belgian, and American air services.
