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The aircraft featured is a Sopwith Pup biplane of No. 8
Sqn. Royal Naval Air Service. The first Pups made an appearance on the
Western Front in the autumn of 1916 and became an instant favourite of the
pilots who flew the type as it was manoeuvrable, fast and
could climb and hold its altitude better than any other fighter.
The name ‘Pup’ came about because many considered it looked like the pup
of its larger predecessor, the 1˝ Strutter. The authorities disliked the name
Pup, thinking it sounded undignified, and stated that the aircraft should
be known as the Sopwith Scout, however the name ‘Pup’ remained.
Pups operated through the thick of the fighting in 1917 then were
gradually withdrawn to become home defence fighters and trainers.
With
the painting
I have endeavoured to evoke a feeling of the era rather than portraying any
actual event. The use of sepia tones helps to achieve this, being
reminiscent of the tinged photographs that are associated with the period. |
