NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The Sopwith Camel was the overall
most lethal fighter aircraft of the war, credited with the downing of over 3,000
enemy aircraft. They are probably the best known of
all British World War I fighters.
Unlike both of its Sopwith predecessors, the
Camel was a difficult aircraft for all but the most experiences pilots
to handle.
This was due to a combination of high torque from its rotary engine
and a rearward center of gravity caused by its short nose moment.
The aircraft turned quickly to the right while pitching its nose downward. The rearward center of gravity made it very
sensitive to elevator input. This was especially true when the fuel tank located behind the
pilot was full. These traits were used to advantage in combat by skilled pilots,
but sometimes proved lethal to inexperienced pilots.
Camels were among the first
aircraft to be stationed on board early aircraft carriers. They had a removable tail
section to facilitate stowage.
Some Camels were used as
night fighters in defense of Britain. They were equipped with twin machine guns
above the wing. Standard equipment was machine guns which fired through the propeller arc.
The night fighter aircraft often
encountered German bombers.
The Sopwith Camel was also used by
Belgium, Canada, Greece and the United States. In all some 5,500 were produced.
Specifications
Primary Function:
Crew:
Engine:
Horsepower:
Length:
Wingspan:
Weight Empty:
Max. Weight:
Machine Guns:
Max Speed:
Climb Rate:
Ceiling:
Range:
First Flight:
Year Deployed:
fighter
one
Clerget 9B
130 hp.
18'0"
28' 0"
930 lbs.
1,450 lbs.
2- 7.7 mm
117 mph
1,050 fpm
19,000 feet
260 miles
2/28/1917
1917
In the photograph
immediately above is the Sopwith Camel ARF for sale by Nitro Planes. It has a wingspan of 40". Length is 27".
Materials used are balsa and ply. Included are a outrunner motor, controller and four servos.
Peter Rake Plans
has plans and a short kit for sale of the Sopwith Camel rc airplane. Wingspan is 36". A Speed 400 motor geared 2.33:1 is recommended.
The first picture below is of the rc Sopwith Camel ARF for sale by Green RC Models. Its wingspan is 38" and length is 26". A brushless
motor and controller is included with the approximately 30 oz. scale model.
Kit Cutters has a 56 1/2" wingspan Sopwith Camel scale rc model airplane from Nexus Plans. It is available as a full
kit, short kit, or plans alone. Suggested power is a .60 engine.
Kit Cutters has a
rc Sopwith Camel available from Uncle Willies
Plans. It has a 56" wingspan and a 36" length. You will need at
least a .60 engine for power.
Kit cutters has a Sopwith Camel rc airplane available from Cleveland Model Plans. You can purchase
kits with wingspans of 28", 42", 56"
and a giant scale 84". Plans are available separately.
Dare Hobby has a rc Sopwith Camel kit for sale designed by Andrew Hewitt. It has a
wingspan of 42". Length is 27".
Hangar 9 has a ARF Sopwith Camel for sale. Jim of Watt Flyer built the rc airplane shown
in the second picture below. Wingspan is 61" and fuselage length is 44". You have a choice of ways to power it. Recommended are .61
to .91 two cycle engines, .91 four cycle engines, or an E-flite Power 46 outrunner electric motor. It should weigh between 7 1/2 and 8 1/2 lbs.
Aerodrome RC has two Sopwith Camel rc airplane kits for sale. Both kits use balsawood and ply as the construction materials.
The Aerodrome 39" wingspan rc Sopwith Camel should weigh around 38 oz. upon completion. An AXI 2808/20 motor is recommended power.
The 50" wingspan Aerodrome Sopwith Camel scale model rc airplane can be powered by a Speed
600 type motor geared 2.3:1. The third picture below is of that model.
The bottom picture is of the rc Sopwith Camel ARF for sale from Power Line Hobbies. It has a wingspan of 27" with a 19" length. Included is a motor and controller.
ElectriFly has a 35 1/2" wingspan Sopwith Camel ARF for sale. Its made from balsawood and plywood and is 25" long with about a 1 1/2 lb. weight.
LX Model has a rc Sopwith Camel ARF for sale with a 31 1/2" wingspan and 20 1/2" length.
VK Aircraft has a rc scale model Sopwith Camel kit for sale. It builds to a 56" wingspan with a 36" length. You can power it with .48 to .70 two cycle engines. Weight is around 6 lbs.
Silverlite Toys makes a rc Sopwith Camel RTF with two channel control. Its wingspan is just 11" and length is 9". Weight is around 8 oz.
Zhuhai Green RC Model Airplane, China has a Sopwith Camel scale model rc airplane for sale with a 26" wingspan. Its length is 17 1/2" and weight is about 12 1/2 oz.
Traplet Publications has Chris Wright Plans for a rc Sopwith Camel for sale. It has a 28" wingspan and weighs about 6 oz.
Don't hesitate to send us pictures and a description of a rc Sopwith Camel that you have built. If you have seen one not mentioned on this page that you
would like to recommend, please email us.
Sopwith Camel
