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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. | | Country: | Great Britain | Manufacturer: | Sopwith Aviation Company | Type: | Fighter | First Introduced: | 1916 | Number Built: | 5,490 | Engine(s): | Reciprocating Le Rhône Rotary x 1, 110 hp Clerget 9B, 9 cylinder, air cooled rotary, 130 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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