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Thread: Sopwith Dolphin

  1. #1

    strontiumdog's Avatar
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    Dan
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    Default Sopwith Dolphin

    Recently finished "Winged Victory" by V.M. Yeates. He makes frequent mention of Sopwith Dolphins, and after reading up on them i like the idea of Ares releasing them. What are your thoughts people?

  2. #2

    Default

    I number of folks here listed the Dolphin on their what lists; it would probably be a good match for a Pfalz D.XII on an end of war release.
    Karl
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus

  3. #3

    strontiumdog's Avatar
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    Just looked up the Pfalz D.XII - looks nice too

  4. #4

    Default

    From what i remember the Dolphin uses the same maneuver deck as the SE5A.


    Here's to them what are like us. Damn few and they're all dead.

  5. #5

    Default

    Yes it does - the N deck.

    "He is wise who watches"

  6. #6

    Default

    I would definitely go for a Dolphin and D.XII pair.

  7. #7

    Lightbulb

    You can always grab a Dolphin from Shapeways!

    Name:  <acronym title=WSF Shapeways Dolphin a.jpg Views: 286 Size: 259.0 KB" style="float: CONFIG" />Name:  <acronym title=WSF Shapeways Dolphin b.jpg Views: 286 Size: 139.1 KB" style="float: CONFIG" />

  8. #8

    Default

    Barry is right. Shapeways' minis are quite all right.
    More of Community's Dolphins you may find here:
    https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sh...ainting-thread
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  9. #9

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    My Dolph did sterling service against an airship in one of our games.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  10. #10

    Default

    Pilots of 87 Squadron, including Arthur Vigers, experimentally fitted some aircraft with two forward firing, unsynchronized Lewis guns mounted on top of the lower wing, just inboard of the inner wing struts. These guns could fire incendiary ammunition, which could not be used with the synchronized Vickers guns. The 97-round ammunition drums could not be changed once empty, nor could the pilot clear gun jams, and the field modification did not become standard.

    Shapeways produce a model of this variant, which would give you firepower in the game of AA* until the Lewis guns run out of ammunition or jam. I would allow the Vickers and Lewis guns to have separate triggers. I put the * on the second A to indicate the special circumstances.

  11. #11

    Default

    They would be a nice option for TnT or anti- Staaken missions

    Not very obvious but the fittings are inboard of the struts

    "He is wise who watches"

  12. #12

    Exclamation

    Initially the Dolphin was fitted with 2 upward firing Lewis guns on the wing framework forward of the cockpit.
    In practice most Squadrons removed these in the field but some retained just the right hand one.
    Photos below show these.
    If you showed these on your model you could fire A/A or A/B & these could be reloaded in action.

    Name:  WW1 Sopwith Dolphin a..jpg
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    Name:  WW1 Sopwith Dolphin Cabane Lewis guns..jpg
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    Name:  WW1 Sopwith Dolphin 1 cabane Lewis..jpg
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  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by gully_raker View Post
    Initially the Dolphin was fitted with 2 upward firing Lewis guns on the wing framework forward of the cockpit.
    In practice most Squadrons removed these in the field but some retained just the right hand one....If you showed these on your model you could fire A/A or A/B & these could be reloaded in action....
    The Lewis guns cannot be used to fire forward Baz - you'd blow your prop off !
    With the 'Higher gun' options now available in the rules you could fire A forward & A, or, B upward depending on your configuration.
    The British found there was a sweet spot to angle guns when shooting upwards where the ballistics matched movement range etc so that the rounds hit where the gun was aimed, thereby taking some of the guesswork out of it but they still had to get into position to use them..
    According to the Windsock DF (54), it was uncommon to mount both the upward firing Lewis guns. Flt Lt Hollinghurst of 87 Sqn described the cabane mounted Lewis guns for offensive purposes as "almost useless". The difficulty aiming them was complicated by the fact that despite their limited movement (vertical only via a three-position ratchet) they were to all intents and purposes fixed guns firing at an angle to the line of flight of the machine. Theoretically they should have been of value for 'below and behind' attack of hostile aircraft, but in practice it was found that they could not compare with the Vickers guns used in the "dive and zoom" attack... "
    Last edited by flash; 02-21-2019 at 01:18.

    "He is wise who watches"

  14. #14

    Default

    My Dolph is set up A/B and very useful against Zeps it is too.




    Rob.
    Last edited by Flying Officer Kyte; 02-21-2019 at 02:14.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  15. #15

    Default

    With a target that size you probably could fire forward and upwards Rob !

    "He is wise who watches"

  16. #16

    Default

    The Dolphins are OK, but I'd rather see Pups and/or Fees, if Ares does another release.

  17. #17

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by zenlizard View Post
    The Dolphins are OK, but I'd rather see Pups and/or Fees, if Ares does another release.
    I gave up waiting for Ares and got two Fees from Shapeways (used in DYM Mission 1)
    I got two Pups from a forum member last year. Hoping to get them to the table sometime.
    If Ares ever does make them I would definitely buy several of each (and Dolphins too!)
    Last edited by Stumptonian; 03-02-2019 at 12:11. Reason: speelnig mitsake

  18. #18

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    With a target that size you probably could fire forward and upwards Rob !
    Oh yes!

    It's what I'd call upgunning.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  19. #19

    Default

    Saw the very upgunned version they have at the Imperial War Museum (Hendon) very impressive looking plane... would make an awesome ARES model (would annoy Tim as well, so extra bonus, lol)

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  20. #20

    Default

    I have a Balsa Dolphin and have never thought about adding the extra gun before. I am thinking that to use it you would have to be playing altitude rules and be lower than your target. Also if you fire it would just be a B damage shot for each angled gun with the forward facing Vickers not being used in that firing. Is that how it works?

  21. #21

    Default

    Basically yes Gary - see post #13 & the Higher gun rules here https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sh...al-Rules-lt-lt

    "He is wise who watches"



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