The arrival of the Sopwith Triplane was a great shock to the Germans, it was faster than the formidable Albatros DIII and could out climb and out tun it. In just three months “B Flight” of Naval 10 claimed 82 German aircraft. Better known as “Black flight” due to their black painted fins and cowling these “Tripehounds” were flown by Canadians. The greatest exponent of the Sopwith Triplane was the flight commander of “Black Flight” Raymond Collishaw who scored 34 of his eventual 60 victories with it. Each Triplane had a different name painted on the fuselage,
“Black Maria” N5490 “C” was flown by Collishaw 34 ( +26 with various other squadrons) Died 1976
“Black Sheep” N5376 “N” FSL Gerald E Nash 6 – POW 26/6/17 – Died 1976
“Black Roger” N5483 “R” FSL Ellis V Reid 19 – KIA 28/7/17
“Black Prince” N5487 “A” FSL William M Alexander 16 ( +5 with No.210sqn RAF ) Died 1988
“Black Death” N5466 “S” FSL John E Sharman 7 (+1 with 3 wing) – KIA 22/7/17

“Black Flight” oil on canvas 20″ x 30″

Thanks for looking ,

Terry