Legendary Biplanes: Sopwith F.1 Camel

We continue to introduce WWI aircraft that will feature in Aces of Thunder. Today, our focus is on the dangerous yet highly effective "Camel"!

• Cruising speed: 177 km/h
• Armament: 2x 7.7 mm synchronized Vickers machine guns

Designed by Herbert Smith in 1916, the Sopwith Camel features a streamlined fuselage and a distinctive “humpbacked” profile, which earned it the nickname of “Camel”. To improve visibility, special cutouts were made in the middle and along the trailing edge of the upper wing.

In a dogfight, it’s recommended to turn left, as it is noticeably faster than turning right. Be cautious, as at low speeds the aircraft has a tendency to stall into a spin.

Did you know? During the war, 385 pilots lost their lives in non-combat related flight incidents, while 415 were killed in battles. Despite this, the Sopwith Camel became one of the most successful fighters of its time, with pilots flying it scoring over 1,200 aerial victories.