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British Aviation 1917
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 The versatile Bristol Fighter was a maneuverable, heavily armed two-seater biplane designed by Frank S. Barnwell. One of the most successful fighters of the war, it got off to a poor start during "Bloody April" when it was introduced to the Western Front by the inexperienced pilots and observers of 48 Squadron. In the mistaken belief that the Brisfit was structurally weak, pilots were instructed to avoid violent maneuvers during combat. Heeding this advice, the pilots of six Bristol F.2a Fighters encountered Manfred von Richthofen and his flight of five Albatros D.IIIs near Douai. In a fight that lasted almost 30 minutes, four of the Brisfits were shot down. The fight with Jasta 11 almost convinced the British to withdraw this aircraft from service. |
Bristol Fighter Engine: 1 x Rolls-Royce Falcon-III 275 hp. Wingspan: 11.96 m Length: 6.3 m Weight: 877 kg/1261 kg Max. speed: 192 km/h Ceiling: 6100 m Crew: 2 Armament: 2-3 x machineguns + 130 kg. bombs |
 Shortly after the development of the Scout Experimental 5, the improved S.E.5a was introduced. When it entered the war in 1917, it was superior to all its German opponents. Many pilots preferred it to the Sopwith Camel. It was easier to fly, it performed better at high altitude and its inline engine produced less noise. It was also faster than the Camel, allowing a pilot to break off combat at will. Disdained by Albert Ball, in the hands of airmen like William Bishop and Edward Mannock, the S.E.5a developed a reputation as a formidable fighter. With 54 victories, South African Anthony Beauchamp Proctor downed more enemy aircraft with this plane than any other ace. |
RAF S.E.5a Manufacturer: Royal Aircraft Factory Type: Fighter Entered Service: June 1917 (S.E.5a) Number Built: 5,205 Engine: Wolseley W4a Viper, 200 hp Wing Span: 26 ft 7 3/8 in 8.11 m Length: 20 ft 11 in 6.38 m Height: 9 ft 6 in Gross Weight: 1988 lb 902 kg Speed: 120 mph 193 kmh 15,000 ft 4572 m Ceiling: 19,500 ft 5944 m Endurance: 2.5 hours Crew: 1 Armament: 1 Vickers .303 1 Lewis .303 gun |
 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, many pilots feared its vicious spin characteristics. 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. During World War I, 413 pilots died in combat and 385 pilots died from non-combat related causes while flying the Sopwith Camel. |
Sopwith Camel Type: Fighter First Entered Service: May 1917 Number Built: 5,734 Engine: Bentley BR.1, 150 hp Reciprocating Le Rhône Rotary x 1, 110 hp Clerget 9B, 9 cylinder, air cooled rotary, 130 hp Clerget 9Bf, 9 cylinder, air cooled rotary, 140 hp Wing Span: 28 ft Length: 18 ft 8 in Height: 8 ft 6 in Empty Weight: 889 lb Gross Weight: 1,422 lb Max Speed: 118 mph Ceiling: 19,000 ft Endurance: 2.5 hours Crew: 1 Armament: 2 Vickers .303 machine guns (F.1) 1 Vickers .303 and 1 Lewis .303 machine guns or 2 Lewis .303 machine guns (2F.1) |
 The Dolphin was an unorthidox design with a reverse stagger to it's upper wing that was not received well in spite of it's performance in the field. Many pilots did not trust the design. With 20 victories, American Frederick Gillet scored more victories with the Sopwith Dolphin than any other ace |
Sopwith Dolphin First Introduced: 1918 Number Built: 1532 Engine: Hispano-Suiza 8E, liquid cooled, 200 hp Wing Span: 9.90 m Length: 6.78 m Height: 2.59 m Empty Weight: 665 kg Gross Weight: 907 kg Max Speed: 206 kmh Ceiling: 6400 m Crew: 1 Armament: 2 machine guns |
 Unlike other biplane fighters of its day, the Airco D.H.5 featured an unusual wing configuration. By positioning the upper wing toward the rear of the cockpit, designer Geoffrey de Havilland was able to improve the pilot's field of vision. Despite this improvement, at high altitude the D.H.5 was a poor performer due to its underpowered engine. By the end of 1917, it was removed from combat and used as a trainer. |
Airco D.H.5 Manufacturer: Aircraft Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Type: Fighter Entered Service: May 1917 Engine: Le Rhône 9J, rotary, 110 hp Wing Span: 25 ft 8 in [7.82 m] Length: 22 ft [6.71 m] Height: 9 ft 1½ in [2.78 m] Gross Weight: 1,492 lb [677 kg] Max Speed: 102 mph [164 km/h] Ceiling: 16,000 ft [4,877 m] Endurance: 2 hr 45 min Crew: 1 Armament: 1 machine gun |
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Original material copyright © 7/8/99 W. Ira Boucher. All Rights Reserved. |
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