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| Sopwith
Camel model airplane |
| The
Sopwith Camel fighter biplane, which superseded the Pup in service on the
Western Front, is regarded as the finest British fighter plane of World
War I. This airplane was basically a further development of the Pup. Somewhat
heavier and with a more powerful engine as standard, the Camel had armament,
fuel, pilot, and powerplant concentrated within a short distance, resulting
in outstanding maneuverability. This was enhanced by the torque of the
large engine, making possible snap turns to starboard which were so fast
that some pilots would make a three-quarter right instead of one-quarter
left turn; not only did they believe this to be faster in combat, it was
tactically confusing to an enemy pilot. This combination of capability
made the Camel the most successful Allied fighter of World War I. Remarkably,
for more than 70 years, its official tally of victims was universally accepted
as 1,294. Research by Chaz Bowyer, a British writer, subsequently showed
that the unit histories of the RFC, RAF, and RNAS alone showed a total
of over 2,800, the overall total exceeding 3,000. This airplane was also
used as a day or night fighter by British Home Defense units, and the Camel
is considered to have played a significant role in the defeat of the German
Gotha bombers in their raids on Britain. Like the Pup, the airplane gained
a nickname ("Camel") which has long survived the designation of "Sopwith
Biplane F.1." the official name of the initial production version of the
airplane. Final production totaled 5,490 airplanes, and besides service
in Britain they also served with the air forces of Belgium, Canada, and
Greece, with the American Expeditionary force, and with the Slavo-British
Aviation Group operating in Russia in 1918. This single-seat fighter plane
was powered by one 130-hp Clerget rotary piston engine, giving the Camel
a maximum speed of 115 mph at 6,500 feet, service ceiling of 19,000 feet,
and endurance of 2 hours 30 minutes. Airplane armament was two forward-firing
synchronized 7.7-mm (303-caliber) Vickers machine guns, plus up to four
25 lb. bombs carried externally. |
#F0124F1W
#ESFN017W
AM320-AR
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AM320-CR
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All airplane models are Hand Carved, Hand Painted
Mahogany and comes fully assembled with removable desk stand. |
| F0124F1W
Dimensions:
Wingspan, 14 1/4 " -Length, 9 3/4" -Scale, 1/24 |
$149.95 |
| ESFN017W Dimensions: Wingspan, 17 " -Length,
11 1/4" -Scale, 1/20 |
$138.95
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| AM320-AR Dimensions: Wingspan, 19 1/4" -Length,
12 3/4" -Scale, 1/17.8 |
$152.95
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| AM320-CR Dimensions: Wingspan, 19 1/4" -Length,
12 3/4" -Scale, 1/17.8 |
$152.95
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