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| Sopwith Cuckoo | ||
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Sopwith Cuckoo | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | ||
| Crew | ||
| First Flight | ||
| Entered Service | ||
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| Dimensions | ||
| Length | ft in | m |
| Wingspan | ft in | m |
| Height | ft in | m |
| Wing area | ft² | m² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | lb | kg |
| Loaded | lb | kg |
| Maximum takeoff | lb | kg |
| Capacity | ||
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | ||
| Power | hp | kW |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | mph | km/h |
| Combat range | miles | km |
| Ferry range | miles | km |
| Service ceiling | ft | m |
| Rate of climb | ft/min | m/min |
| Wing loading | lb/ft² | kg/m² |
| Thrust/Weight | ||
| Power/Mass | hp/lb | kW/kg |
| Avionics | ||
| Avionics | ||
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| Bombs | ||
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The Sopwith Cuckoo was a bi-plane torpedo bomber used by the British Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS), and its sucessor organisation, the Royal Air Force (RAF). The Cuckoo was built by the Sopwith Aviation Company, better known for making the Sopwith Camel and Sopwith Pup. Though the Cuckoo would also prove to be a good design, it had only a relatively brief career.
It first flew in June 1917, with the first Cuckoo's being delivered in September 1918, meaning the Cuckoo was too late to be involved in the First World War. Though, in October 1918, there was a plan made by Admiral Sir David Beatty, commander of the Grand Fleet, to attack the German High Seas Fleet at harbour using the Cuckoo's which would have flown off the new carrier HMS Argus . However, the plan was rejected, and the war was already coming to an end. A similar operation, launched by Vice-Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham's Mediterranean Fleet would take place in 1940Events January-February January 5 FM radio is demonstrated to the FCC for the first time. January 6 World War II: Mass execution of Poles, committed by Germans in the Poznan, Warthegau. January 12 World War II: Russia bombs cities in Finland. February 2 F, against the Italian Fleet at TarantoThe Battle of Taranto was a naval battle that occurred on the night of November 11 November 12, 1940 during World War II. The Royal Navy launched the first all-aircraft naval battle in history, flying a small number of aircraft from a single aircraft carr, and which would prove to be a success.
Over three hundred Cuckoos were ordered, but like many programs still in production upon the end of the First World War, high numbers of the Cuckoo ordered were cancelled due to the post-WW1 cuts. Over 140 of the type were produced, though less than 100 of them actually entered service with the RAF. The Cuckoo was the first land plane designed to operate off warships for use as a torpedo-bomber, its wings being foldable. It carried a single 18-in torpedo under its fuselage. It was powered by a single 200hp Sunbeam Arab piston engine, had a max speed of just over 100mph, her endurarance was just over three hours and her range was over 400 miles. By 1st April 1923Centuries: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s Years: 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 Events January 1 Grouping of all UK railway companies into four larg, the Cuckoos career was over and the last squadron to use her, No. 210 Squadron , was disbanded.