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Sopwith F.1 Camel

National Air and Space Museum

Object Details

Physical Description
Single engine, single-seat, WWI biplane fighter, with 130 HP Clerget 9B rotary engine.
Summary
The Sopwith Camel is among the most significant and famous of all WWI aircraft. Camels downed 1,294 enemy aircraft, more than any other Allied fighter in WWI. The cowling over the two Vickers machine guns ahead of the cockpit created a distinctive “hump,” making the name Camel a natural choice, although it was never an official military designation.
Unlike the earlier Sopwith Pup and Sopwith Triplane, which were docile to fly and well-liked by pilots, the Camel was unstable, requiring constant input from the pilot. The gyroscopic effects of its powerful rotary engine made it dangerous for novice pilots, and almost as many were killed in accidents as died in combat. But its instability also contributed to it being agile and maneuverable, and once its tricky characteristics were mastered, the Camel was a superior fighting airplane.
The Camel entered operational service in July 1917 and remained a front-line fighter until the end of the war, with approximately 5,490 built. This example, B6291, served with No. 10 Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service.
Credit Line
Gifted to the Smithsonian by the Arango Family with gratitude and appreciation.
Inventory Number
A20170105000
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Type
CRAFT-Aircraft
Materials
Airframe: wood, fabric covered
metal
rubber
Dimensions
Wingspan: 28 feet (8.5 m)
Length: 18 feet 9 inches (5.7 m)
Height: 8 feet 6 inches (2.6m)
Empty weight: 930 lbs
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
National Air and Space Museum
Record ID
nasm_A20170105000
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv998f27ffa-0985-46f3-a041-5cfa8a4cfe56

Related Content

  • Open Access Highlights

Three-quarter front view of a single-seat WWI biplane fighter with wooden propeller,
This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Open Access page.
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer
Front-side view of engine on Sopwith F.1 Camel aircraft
Metal-outlined fuel tank port on wooden fuselage of Sopwith F.1 Camel
Wooden Sopwith F.1 Camel Instrument Panel with gauges and metal frame
Frontal view of wooden, single-blade propeller on a biplane
Round British Insignia on fuselage of Sopwith F.1 Camel
Metal Sopwith F.1 Camel Fuselage with label
Rounded red, blue, and white painted metal camel tail of Sopwith F.1 aircraft
Three-quarter front view of a single-seat WWI biplane fighter with wooden propeller,
Front-side view of engine on Sopwith F.1 Camel aircraft
Metal-outlined fuel tank port on wooden fuselage of Sopwith F.1 Camel
Wooden Sopwith F.1 Camel Instrument Panel with gauges and metal frame
Frontal view of wooden, single-blade propeller on a biplane
Round British Insignia on fuselage of Sopwith F.1 Camel
Metal Sopwith F.1 Camel Fuselage with label
Rounded red, blue, and white painted metal camel tail of Sopwith F.1 aircraft
Three-quarter front view of a single-seat WWI biplane fighter with wooden propeller,
Front-side view of engine on Sopwith F.1 Camel aircraft
Metal-outlined fuel tank port on wooden fuselage of Sopwith F.1 Camel
Wooden Sopwith F.1 Camel Instrument Panel with gauges and metal frame
Frontal view of wooden, single-blade propeller on a biplane
Round British Insignia on fuselage of Sopwith F.1 Camel
Metal Sopwith F.1 Camel Fuselage with label
Rounded red, blue, and white painted metal camel tail of Sopwith F.1 aircraft

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