The dream to return a Sopwith 1½ Strutter to flight is moving closer to reality

After more than two decades of work the Aviation Preservation Society Scotland’s aim to put a Strutter into British skies has taken a big step forward.

The meticulously reproduced biplane was recently transported across East Lothian from its home base in East Fortune to RAF Kirknewton – some 30 miles to the east – to be prepared for flight testing. Once reassembled and re-rigged, the aircraft will undergo a series of ground safety checks and tests before being certified as fit to fly.

This charismatic reproduction of the World War One two-seater wears the colours of F2211, affectionately known as ‘Sophie’, the machine flown by Lt Col Richard Bell Davies VC DSO during his first take-off from HMS Argus on October 1, 1918.