Warringah Radio Control
Society Incorporated
(Incorporated under the Association Incorporation Act 1984)

 THE SOPWITH CAMEL
Developed from the successful Sopwith Pup, the Sopwith Camel is considered by many to be the single most famous aircraft type of World War I. 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, its main trouble was that owing to its very small wingspan, and its purposely unstable characteristics, coupled with the gyroscopic effect of a rotating engine and propeller, it flipped into a spin very easily at low speeds. 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.
 
 

Consequently, in landing and taking off, a tremendous number of fatal accidents occurred. Flown by various Allied combatants throughout the last two years of the war, the Camel was the favored mount of some of the war's most famous aces. Worth noting is the fact a Camel also is claimed by some historians to have been the downfall of Manfred von Richthofen, Germany's most famous World War I ace.
In the right hands, the Camel was an effective weapon. It was highly maneuverable, well armed, and quick enough to work one-on-one with any enemy aircraft. Only the German Fokker Dr.I triplane was an even match in terms of maneuverability.
During World War I, 413 pilots died in combat and 385 pilots died from non-combat related causes while flying the Sopwith Camel.
 
 

SPECIFICATIONS OF THE
SOPWITH F.1 "CAMEL"

Manufacturer:
Model:
Year:

Span:
Length:
Height:
Wing Area:
Empty Weight:
Gross Weight:
Max. Speed:
Max. Altitude:
Max. Range:

 Sopwith 
F.1 Camel
1917 

28 feet 
18.75 feet 
8.5 feet 
231 square feet 
962 pounds 
1,482 pounds 
104.5 mph at 10,000 feet
18,000 feet 
2.5 hours

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