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| Sopwith
F.1 Camel |
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No.
46 Sqn RAF
Source: via LA Rogers
Image: © R. N. Pearson |
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| An agile, highly maneuverable biplane,
the Sopwith Camel accounted for more
aerial victories than any other Allied
aircraft during World War I. Credited
with destroying 1,294 enemy aircraft,
it was called the Camel due to the humped
fairing over its twin machine guns.
Much like a real camel, this aircraft
could turn and bite you. Noted for its
tendency to kill inexperienced flyers,
many pilots feared its vicious spin
characteristics. Until sufficient speed
was developed during takeoff, Camel
pilots maintained full right rudder
to counteract the torque the rotary
engine. Failure to do so often resulted
in a ground loop with the Camel crashing
on its starboard wingtip. During World
War I, 413 pilots died in combat and
385 pilots died from non-combat related
causes while flying the Sopwith Camel. |
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| SPECIFICATIONS |
| Country: |
Great Britain |
| Manufacturer: |
Sopwith Aviation Company |
| Type: |
Fighter |
| First
Service: |
May 1917 |
| Number
Built: |
5,734 |
| Engine(s): |
Bentley BR.1, 150 hp
Reciprocating Le Rhône Rotary x 1, 110
hp
Clerget 9B, 9 cylinder, air cooled rotary,
130 hp
Clerget 9Bf, 9 cylinder, air cooled rotary,
140 hp |
| Wing Span: |
28 ft |
| Length: |
18 ft 8 in |
| Height: |
8 ft 6 in |
| Empty
Weight: |
889 lb |
| Gross
Weight: |
1,422 lb |
| Max Speed: |
118 mph |
| Ceiling: |
19,000 ft] |
| Endurance: |
2.5 hours |
| Crew: |
1 |
| Armament: |
2 Vickers .303 machine guns
(F.1)
1 Vickers .303 and 1 Lewis .303 machine guns
or 2 Lewis .303 machine guns (2F.1) |
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