Sopwith Camel: 1916-1920 (F.1/2F.1)

Haynes Owners' Workshop Manual

by Jarrod Cotter

Think of the First World War and then think of an aircraft. What springs to mind will probably be the Sopwith Camel. The single-seat Camel was one of the most successful RNAS/RFC/RAF 'scouts' (the period term for a fighter) of the First World War. Jarrod Cotter has been given rare access to the Shuttleworth Collection's Sopwith Camel replica as well as Camel new-builds in France and New Zealand. The manual includes rare and stunning colour photography of rebuilding, restoring and flying this classic WW1 fighter.

160 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2016

Reviews

[Robert Hepple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 2016, 'Sopwith Camel 1916-20 (F.1/2F.1)' is a novelty Haynes Owners' Workshop Manual devoted to the famous WW1 fighter aircraft, the Sopwith Camel. The historical detail segment is surprisingly brief, and even then devotes itself more to the formation of the early RFC than to the Camel. The technical detail that follows is amazing, and makes use of some of the best airworthy Sopwith Camel replicas for the walkaround detail. I did expect great things of the section dealing with the rotary engine, but found that I didn't understand a word of it and will have to go elsewhere for that detail because I was interested in knowing just how that technological cul-de-sac worked. This was made up for by the wealth of useful information that was imparted, and I recommend it to all aviation buffs.

[J Grimsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read even for a person who is non-technical and just enjoys Biggles and 1st World War History. I do enjoy the technical advice. I wonder how much was followed in real life.