The Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter was originally designed in late 1915 for the Admiralty, and was a two seater powered by a 110 hp. Clerget 9Z Rotary.  It was primarily of wooden construction, and it appears that armament was a secondary consideration.  When it first appeared,  synchronization gear finally became available, and the 1 ½ Strutter seems to be the first British aircraft to have been equipped with this device.    The Royal Navy’s first use for the aircraft was long distance bombing attacks, and these aircraft  were used in the first strategic bombing attacks in the history of warfare.   By 1916, the land battles had become serious, and the Royal Flying Corps wanted the type for its own use.  In April, 1916,  RFC Sopwiths  were tested at Farnborough, and the type was ordered into production for that service.  Demand was so great that additional contracts were placed with Ruston- Proctor,  Vickers, Wells, Morgan, and Hooper, and also Westland, Mann-Egerton and Fairey were involved. About 1,439 were produced for the British.  The RNAS used more of the aircraft that the RFC, but the surprising fact is that the French ordered 4,500 of the type for use with its reconnaissance units, and these were produced in France by French companies.  In addition, American units were also equipped with the type.  U.S. Navy units used the type as an observation aircraft, some being catapulted off the battleships Arizona,  Nevada,  Oklahoma,  and Pennsylvania.  Given the numbers of aircraft produced, it is not surprising that many were exported after the war, to countries such as Holland, Japan, Latvia, Brazil, Roumania, and Belgium.  The only surviving 1 ½ Strutter is on display in a military museum in Brussels, Belgium.  A few surplus planes were bought by American civilians, and one was on the U.S. Civil register as late as 1930.

Much of the painting can be done before the upper wing is mounted.  The upper surfaces should be a khaki green (dark green) while the undersides should be linen color. The cabanes are, according to the instructions, supposed to be painted aluminum color, while the main outer wing struts should a wood brown color.  These can all be done before assembly.  Detailed color instructions are provided.

The decals are well done and in register, and shouldn’t need a lot of trimming.  Decals are provided for only one airplane, #7 , B762, of No. 78 Sqdn., during August, 1917.