Stanley Paine: Sopwith Tabloid Seaplane

Artist: Stanley Paine
1934 -
Nationality: British
Artwork Year: 1988
Image Size: 15.5 by 18 inches
Overall Size: 20.125 by 22.75 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Cold Press Illustration Board

This artwork features the Sopwith Tabloid Seaplane that became Great Britain's first Schneider Trophy winner in 1914. T.O.M. Sopwith -- who, together with Fred Sigrist, designed and built the Tabloid in 1913 -- is one of the world's most famous pioneer airmen. He held one of the first pilot's licenses ever issued. During official trials, the Tabloid achieved a maximum speed of 92 mph, with a stalling speed of 36.9 mph. From his own experience of air racing, Sopwith knew this plane's value in terms of publicity and as stimulus to aircraft engineering and aerodynamics development. Accordingly, he modified an early production Tabloid as a seaplane for the Schneider contest due to take place at Monaco on April 20, 1914. THe Tabloid Seaplane helds it first serious flight on April 19, and it was found to need a larger propeller due to the Gnôme engine running too fast. Sopwith and pilot Howard Pixtan expected the Tabloid to fare well in the race, but the tiny plane's performance exceeded even their most optimistic hopes. Pixtan crossed the finish line after twenty-eight laps and a total distance of 174 miles in a time of two hours and thirteen seconds -- an average speed of 86.75 mph. Pixtan then opened up his motor and completed another two laps at still higher speed, breaking the world's record for seaplanes with a speed of 92 mph for a distance of 186 miles.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® Europa First Day Cover Collection Great Airplanes of Europe produced in 1988.

Artwork Copyright © 1988 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB11591

US$ Price: $1,075.00

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