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Sopwith Camel facts for kids

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Sopwith F-1 Camel 2 USAF
Reproduction of a Sopwith Camel biplane flown by Lt. George A. Vaughn Jr., 17th Aero Squadron
Sopwith F.1 Camel drawing
Sopwith Camel drawing

The Sopwith Camel was a British World War I fighter biplane, it was famous for not flying very well.

The Sopwith Camel entered service in June 1917.

Unlike many biplanes, the Camel was unpleasant to fly. The Camel could manoeuvre well because of the placement of the engine, pilot, guns, and fuel tank, but controlling the engine torque made flying it difficult and dangerous.

The Camel soon had a bad reputation with pilots. The engine was sensitive to fuel mixture control, and wrong settings caused the engine to cut out during takeoff. Many crashed due to mishandling on takeoff when a full fuel tank affected the center of gravity. As well as this, the Camel was also known for its bad spinning characteristics, where any stall resulted in an uncontrollable spin.

The Camel had better guns and better performance compared to other biplanes. Its controls were light and sensitive. The Camel was one of the best-remembered Allied aircraft of the First World War. The Camel was credited with shooting down 1,294 enemy aircraft, more than any other Allied fighter.

By 1918 better aircraft had been invented, faster and with better high altitude performance. The camel soon became a ground-attack and infantry support aircraft. When fighting Germans in March 1918, flights of Camels stopped the advancing German Army. Because of this the Camel remained in service until the armistice (ceasefire).

Images for kids

  • AC0158CobbyCamel1918-19

    Harry Cobby sitting in the cockpit of a Sopwith Camel

  • Replica Sopwith Camel (G-BZSC) (12243203404)

    Replica Sopwith Camel showing internal structure

  • 1917 Sopwith F.1 Camel

    1917 Sopwith F.1 Camel at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

  • HMS Furious Tondern Raid 1918 IWM SP 1156

    Navalised Camels on the aircraft carrier HMS Furious prior to raiding the Tondern airship hangars

  • HMA R 23 Airship With Camel N6814

    Sopwith 2F.1 Camel suspended from airship R 23 prior to a test flight

  • Sopwith Camel at the Imperial War Museum

    The Sopwith 2F.1 Camel used to shoot down Zeppelin L 53, at the Imperial War Museum, London. Note mounting of twin Lewis guns over the top wing

  • Sopwith Camel Cremers

    Belgian Sopwith Camel flown by Adj. Léon Cremers with n° 11 Squadron "Cocotte" marking

  • Sopwith Camel F.1 Right Rear

    USAS Sopwith Camel

  • Sopwith Camel 1

    Sopwith Camel at the Royal Air Force Museum

  • Sopwith F-1 Camel USAF

    Replica of Camel F.1 flown by Lt. George Vaughn Jr., 17th Aero Squadron at the USAF Museum

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