Sopwith Camel Belgium
Item Number: 868Sopwith Camel airplane model. The Sopwith Camel, a fighter biplane that succeeded the Pup on the Western Front, is celebrated as the premier British fighter of World War I. Essentially an advanced version of the Pup, the Camel was slightly heavier and equipped with a more potent engine. Its design concentrated armament, fuel, pilot, and powerplant within a compact area, yielding exceptional maneuverability. The large engine's torque allowed for rapid starboard snap turns, so swift that pilots often preferred a three-quarter right turn over a one-quarter left turn, believing it quicker in combat and disorienting to the enemy. This blend of features rendered the Camel the most triumphant Allied fighter of the war, with an official kill count of 1,294, a figure acknowledged for over seven decades. In total, 5,490 Camels were produced.
Mahogany Wood. Scale: 1/24. Wingspan 14 1/4 inches, Length 9 3/4 inches.