Sopwith Snipe
| 7F.1 Snipe | |
|---|---|
| A Sopwith 7F.1 Snipe replica | |
| General information | |
| Type | Fighter |
| Manufacturer | Sopwith Aviation Company |
| Designer | |
| Primary users | Royal Air Force |
| Number built | 497 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1918 |
| First flight | October 1917 |
| Variants | Sopwith Salamander Sopwith Dragon |
The Sopwith 7F.1 Snipe is a British single-seat biplane fighter of the Royal Air Force (RAF). It was designed and built by the Sopwith Aviation Company during the First World War, and came into squadron service a few weeks before the end of the conflict, in late 1918. The Snipe was not a fast aircraft by the standards of its time, but its excellent climb and manoeuvrability made it a good match for contemporary German fighters. It was selected as the standard postwar single-seat RAF fighter and the last examples were not retired until 1926.