Sopwith Wallaby

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Wallaby
Sopwith Wallaby.png
Sopwith Wallaby G-EAKS, side view
RoleLong-range transport biplane
National originUnited Kingdom
Manufacturer Sopwith Aviation Company
First flight1919;103 years ago (1919)
Retired17 April 1920;101 years ago (1920-04-17)
Statuscrashed, rebuilt as 8-seater transport
Primary user Australian Aerial Services
Number built1

The Sopwith Wallaby was a British single-engined long-range biplane built during 1919 by Sopwith Aviation Company at Kingston upon Thames.

Contents

Development

The Wallaby was designed to compete in an Australian government £10,000 prize for an England to Australia flight. It was a single-engined biplane powered by a Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engine. It had an open cockpit with two seats that could be retracted inside the enclosed cabin.

Operational history

The Wallaby registered G-EAKS departed Hounslow on 21 October 1919 for Australia. On 17 April 1920 it crashed on the island of Bali in the Dutch East Indies. It was shipped to Australia and re-built as an 8-seater transport and was used by Australian Aerial Services.

Operator

Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia

Specifications

Data from Sopwith—The Man and his Aircraft [1]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

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References

  1. Robertson 1970, pp. 236–237, 240–241.