The Sopwith Camel was an agile, highly maneuverable plane and was the top fighter of Allied forces in World War I. It got its name from the "hump" in the fuselage which enclosed the guns.
The Camel was a difficult plane to fly because the engine developed such high torque that the plane tended to pull to the right until it reached cruising speed, making take-offs and landings hazardous. Nearly as many pilots died from accidents as died in combat while flying the plane.
This plane carries the markings of 11me Escadrille de Chasse (11th Fighter Squadron) of the Belgian Air Service.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Country of Manufacture | Great Britain |
| First Year of Service | 1917 |
| Wing Span | 28 ft | 8.6 m |
| Length | 18.7 ft | 5.7 m |
| Height | 8.5 ft | 2.6 m |
| Weight | 1422lbs | 646 kg |
| Engine | 9 cylinder air-cooled rotary engine, 130hp |
| Top Speed | 118 mph | 189 km/h |
| Range | 217 miles | 350 km |
| Armament | 2 machine guns |
| Crew | 1 |
