After 25 years of hard work, passion, and dedication, a replica World War One aircraft, affectionately named “Sophie,” has finally taken to the skies. Built from scratch by a team of volunteers from the Aviation Preservation Society of Scotland (APSS), the Sopwith 1½ Strutter is now undergoing test flights after a generation-long journey of craftsmanship and care.
Key Facts
Plane: Sopwith 1½ Strutter replica, nicknamed “Sophie”
Built by: Aviation Preservation Society of Scotland
Project began: 2000
First test flights: May 2025 at RAF Kirknewton
Purpose: Historical education, flying exhibitions, and community aviation preservation
A Dream That Took Flight Over Two Decades
The project began in the year 2000, with a group of enthusiasts gathering almost every week to bring the historic biplane back to life. Now, in 2025, their dream is soaring. The replica aircraft is based on the original Sopwith 1½ Strutter, which first entered service in 1916 and was used to help defend Scotland’s Forth coastline during World War One.
“Every single nut and bolt has been checked. Every piece of wire has been checked,” said APSS chairman Mike Harper. “You don’t cobble these things together. When you’re going to fly it, it has to be done right.”
While the team could have built the plane for static display in just a few years, they chose to follow strict aviation standards, ensuring that Sophie could safely take to the skies. This meant years of checking, testing, and refining, all done by a dedicated team of mostly retired volunteers—some now in their 80s.
Sophie Takes to the Skies
On a bright May morning at RAF Kirknewton in West Lothian, Sophie’s propellers began to spin. With great excitement and a touch of emotion, the team watched as the plane lifted off the ground for one of her first official test flights.
The solo pilot and aircraft inspector, Tim Rayner, has been part of the project from the beginning and now has the special responsibility of flying the plane during its testing phase.
“This is the icing on the cake,” Rayner said. “Flying something from 1915 is a completely different experience. The controls are not as responsive as modern planes, but that’s what makes it so special.”
Each test flight lasts around 15 minutes and helps the team understand how the plane handles in different weather conditions. Once the plane completes five hours of test flights, it will be officially cleared to carry a second person.
Honoring the Past, Building the Future
One emotional part of the project is a plaque in the back cockpit of the plane, honoring the early members of the team who sadly passed away before Sophie’s first flight.
“It’s humbling,” said volunteer Donald Gardner. “This is a fantastic bunch of people with amazing skills, and the results show what you can do with time, patience, and teamwork.”
Many team members are now eagerly waiting for their turn to fly in the passenger seat once it’s approved. For Colin Murray, who helped prepare the aircraft for its test flights, sitting in the back seat is a dream still to come true.
“There’s quite a queue of older gentlemen who’ve got first dibs,” Murray joked. “But one day I hope to have a shot.”
What’s Next for Sophie?
While test flights continue, the team is working on making small improvements and installing extra instruments in the passenger cockpit. Once Sophie is fully cleared for two-person flights, the team hopes to show her off at air shows across the UK, sharing her story and honoring the brave pilots of World War One.
“It’s not just about flying,” Harper said. “It’s about preserving history, sharing knowledge, and doing something truly special together.”
