Editing Sopwith Cuckoo

{{Short description|British torpedo bomber}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = T.1 Cuckoo
|image = Sopwith Cuckoo launching torpedo.jpg
|caption = T.1 Cuckoo
|type = [[Torpedo bomber]]
|national_origin = [[United Kingdom]]
|manufacturer = [[Sopwith Aviation Company]]
|designer = <!--Only appropriate for single designers, not project leaders-->
|first_flight = June 1917
|introduction = 1918
|retired = 1923
|status = <!--In most cases, redundant; use sparingly-->
|primary_user = [[Royal Air Force]]
|more_users = <!-- Limited to THREE (3) 'more users' here (4 total users). Separate users with <br />. -->
|produced = <!--Years in production (e.g. 1970-1999) if still in active use but no longer built -->
|number_built = 232
|developed_from =
}}

The '''Sopwith T.1 Cuckoo''' was a British [[biplane]] [[torpedo bomber]] used by the [[Royal Naval Air Service]] (RNAS), and its successor organization, the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF). The T.1 was the first landplane specifically designed for carrier operations, but it was completed too late for service in the [[First World War]]. After the Armistice, the T.1 was named the Cuckoo.<ref name="Davis p123">Davis 1999, p. 123.</ref>

==Design and development==
In October 1916, Commodore [[Murray Sueter]], the [[Air Department]]'s Superintendent of Aircraft Construction, solicited [[Sopwith Aviation Company|Sopwith]] for a single-seat aircraft capable of carrying a 1,000&nbsp;lb torpedo and sufficient fuel to provide an endurance of four hours. The resulting aircraft, designated T.1 by Sopwith,<ref name="Robertson p125">Robertson 1970, p. 125.</ref> was a large, three-bay biplane. Because the T.1 was designed to operate from carrier decks, its wings were hinged to fold backwards. The T.1 could take off from a carrier deck in four seconds, but it was not capable of making a carrier landing and no [[arresting gear]] was fitted.<ref name="Davis p122">Davis 1999, p. 122.</ref><ref name="Robertson p127">Robertson 1970, p. 127.</ref> A split-axle undercarriage allowed the aircraft to carry a 1,000&nbsp;lb Mk. IX torpedo beneath the fuselage.

The prototype T.1 first flew in June [[1917 in aviation|1917]], powered by a 200&nbsp;hp [[Hispano-Suiza 8]]Ba engine.<ref name="Thetford Navy p318">Thetford 1978, p. 318.</ref> Official trials commenced in July 1917 and the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] issued production orders for 100 aircraft in August.<ref name="Robertson p125">Robertson 1970, p. 125.</ref> Contractors Fairfield Engineering and Pegler & Company had no experience as aircraft manufacturers, however, resulting in substantial production delays.<ref name="Layman Naval p191">Layman 2002, p. 191.</ref> Moreover, the [[Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5|S.E.5a]] had priority for the limited supplies of the Hispano-Suiza 8. Redesign of the T.1 airframe to accommodate the heavier [[Sunbeam Arab]] incurred further delays.<ref name="Layman Naval p191">Layman 2002, p. 191.</ref>

In February 1918, the Admiralty issued a production order to [[Blackburn Aircraft]], an experienced aircraft manufacturer. Blackburn delivered its first T.1 in May 1918.<ref name="Thetford Navy p318">Thetford 1978, p. 318.</ref> The aircraft immediately experienced undercarriage and tailskid failures, requiring redesign of those components.<ref name="Robertson p127">Robertson 1970, p. 127.</ref> The T.1 also required an enlarged rudder and offset fin to combat its tendency to swing to the right.<ref name="Robertson p127">Robertson 1970, p. 127.</ref> Fairfield and Pegler finally began production in August and October, respectively.<ref name="Davis p123">Davis 1999, p. 123.</ref>

A total of 300 T.1s were ordered, but only 90 aircraft had been delivered by the Armistice. A total of 232 aircraft had been completed by the time production ended in 1919. Blackburn Aircraft produced 162 aircraft, while Fairfield Engineering completed 50 and Pegler & Company completed another 20.<ref name="Thetford Navy p318">Thetford 1978, p. 318.</ref> After the Armistice, many T.1s were delivered directly to storage depots at Renfrew and Newcastle.<ref name="Davis p123">Davis 1999, p. 123.</ref>

==Operational history==
[[File:Sopwith Cuckoo.jpg|thumb|right|Cuckoo launching practice torpedo]]

After undergoing service trials at [[RAF East Fortune]], the T.1 was recommended for squadron service. Deliveries to the Torpedo Aeroplane School at East Fortune commenced in early August 1918. Training took place in the [[Firth of Forth]], where  Cuckoos launched practice torpedoes at targets towed by destroyers. Cuckoos of No. 185 Squadron embarked on [[HMS Argus (I49)|HMS ''Argus'']] in November 1918, but hostilities ended before the aircraft could conduct any combat operations.<ref name="Davis p123">Davis 1999, p. 123.</ref>

In service, the aircraft was generally popular with pilots because the airframe was strong and water landings were safe. The T.1 was easy to control and was fully aerobatic without a torpedo payload.<ref name="Robertson p127">Robertson 1970, p. 127.</ref> The Arab engine proved unsatisfactory, however, and approximately 20 T.1s were converted to use [[Wolseley Viper]] engines.<ref name="Thetford Navy p318">Thetford 1978, p. 318.</ref> These aircraft, later designated Cuckoo Mk. IIs, could be distinguished by the Viper's lower thrust line. The Arab-engined variant was designated Cuckoo Mk. I.<ref name="Davis p123">Davis 1999, p. 123.</ref>

The Cuckoo's operational career ended when the last unit to use the type, [[No. 210 Squadron RAF|No. 210 Squadron]], disbanded at Gosport on 1 April 1923.<ref name="Thetford Navy p318">Thetford 1978, p. 318.</ref> The Cuckoo was replaced in service by the [[Blackburn Dart]].

===Planned use===
Throughout 1917, Commodore Sueter proposed plans for an [[aerial torpedo]] attack on the German [[High Seas Fleet]] at its base in Germany.<ref name="Layman Naval p191">Layman 2002, p. 191.</ref> The carriers ''Argus'', {{HMS|Furious|47|2}}, and {{HMS|Campania|1914|2}} and the converted cruisers {{HMS|Courageous|50|2}} and {{HMS|Glorious||2}}, were to have launched 100 Cuckoos from the North Sea.<ref name="Layman Naval p191">Layman 2002, p. 191.</ref> In September 1917, Admiral [[Sir David Beatty]], commander of the [[Grand Fleet]], proposed a similar plan involving 120 Cuckoos launched from eight converted merchant vessels.<ref name="Layman Naval p192">Layman 2002, p. 192.</ref>

==Survivors==
Today, no complete Cuckoo airframe survives, but a set of Cuckoo Mk. I wings are preserved at the [[National Museum of Flight]] in Scotland.

==Variants==
;Cuckoo Mk. I : Main production variant. Powered by a 200&nbsp;hp (149&nbsp;kW) [[Sunbeam Arab]] engine.
;Cuckoo Mk. II : Mk. I converted to use a 200&nbsp;hp (149&nbsp;kW) [[Wolseley Viper]] engine.
;Cuckoo Mk. III : Prototype powered by a 275&nbsp;hp (205&nbsp;kW) [[Rolls-Royce Falcon]] III engine.
;Sopwith B.1 : Single-seat bomber powered by a 200&nbsp;hp (149&nbsp;kW) Hispano-Suiza 8 engine. Two prototypes built.

==Operators==
;{{JPN}}:
* [[Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service]] - Operated six Cuckoo Mk. II aircraft.
;{{UK}}:
* [[Royal Naval Air Service]]
* [[Royal Air Force]]
** [[No. 185 Squadron RAF]] - Used Cuckoo from October 1918 but was disbanded the following year.
** [[No. 186 Squadron RAF]] - Used Cuckoo from late 1918. Was renamed No. 210 Squadron in 1920.
** [[No. 210 Squadron RAF]] - Formed in 1920 from No. 186 Squadron, and continued to use the Cuckoo until 1 April 1923 when the unit disbanded.

==Specifications (Mk. I)==

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=British Naval Aircraft Since 1912<ref name="Thetford Navy p319">Thetford 1978, p. 319.</ref>
|prime units?=imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1
|length ft=28
|length in=6
|length note=
|span ft=46
|span in=9
|span note=
|height ft=10
|height in=8
|height note=
|wing area sqft=566
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=
|empty weight lb=2199
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=3883
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Sunbeam Arab]]
|eng1 type=V-8 water-cooled piston engine
|eng1 hp=200
|eng1 note=

|prop blade number=2
|prop name=fixed-pitch propeller
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed mph=105.5
|max speed note=
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=
|range miles=335
|range note=
|combat range miles=
|combat range note=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft=12100
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|glide ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|climb rate ftmin=
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|more performance=
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns= 
|bombs=1 × 18-inch Mk.IX torpedo
}}

==See also==
* [[Sempill Mission]]
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Sopwith B.1]]
|sequence=
|lists=
* [[List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force]]
* [[List of aircraft of the Royal Naval Air Service]]
}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==References==
{{Commons category|Sopwith Cuckoo}}
{{Refbegin}}
* Bruce, J. M. ''Sopwith B.1 & T.1 Cuckoo: Windsock Datafile 90''. Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK: Albatros Publications, 2001. {{ISBN|1-902207-41-6}}.
* Davis, Mick. ''Sopwith Aircraft''. Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire: Crowood Press, 1999. {{ISBN|1-86126-217-5}}.
* Layman, R. D. ''Naval Aviation In The First World War: Its Impact And Influence''. London: Caxton, 2002. {{ISBN|1-84067-314-1}}.
* Robertson, Bruce. ''Sopwith – The Man and His Aircraft''. London: Harleyford, 1970. {{ISBN|0-900435-15-1}}.
* Thetford, Owen. ''British Naval Aircraft Since 1912''. London:  Putnam, 1994. {{ISBN|0-85177-861-5}}.
{{Refend}}

{{Sopwith Aviation Company aircraft}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1910s British bomber aircraft]]
[[Category:Sopwith aircraft|Cuckoo]]
[[Category:Carrier-based aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Biplanes]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1917]]