In May 1989, the excellent collection at Monino added this Sopwith Triplane to its collection. It wears the Red Army roundel from 1917. This is one of only two genuine surviving Sopwith Triplanes. It is believed to have been built as N5486, which was supplied to the Russian government in 1917 for evaluation. Fitted with skis, it was later captured by the Bolshevists and used as a trainer in the Red Army. The airframe appears to be largely original, although the cowling and undercarriage are not.

Looking pristine so the photo may be at Brooklands where Sopwith had its flight test centre. Photo from: Library and Archives Canada

One of the Air Historic Branch aircraft, displayed at the Biggin Hill Station Museum in RNAS colours. Current in the RAF Museum Hendon in 2020. Date is approximate.

The Triplane was briefly succesful with a couple of British and French naval fighter squadrons early in 1917, but had structural and maintenance issues, and was armed with one machine gun only. The Fokker Dr.I was developed in response.

The prototype Triplane first flew in May 1916 and the type entered service with the Royal Naval Air Service early in 1917 and a total of 147 were built. It was a very agile but lightly armed type that was soon superceded by the biplanes. Often quoted as cn 8385M, but that is its allocated RAF maintenance serial.