Sopwith F1 Camel
The Camel was the highest scoring British fighter of the First World War. It took its name from the hump over the breeches of the two machine guns.
Difficult to fly well, it could kill an unwary pilot. It was ideal for daylight combat but versatile enough to enable it to be used for night fighting and ground attack. This aircraft was probably built by Boulton & Paul at Norwich. Sold as war-surplus, it briefly flew re-engined with a 45hp Anzani engine in 1923 and was part of the renowned Nash Collection from 1936. It was restored at Heathrow airport 1958–1962.
Details
| Object number | 74/A/18 |
|---|---|
| Maker name | Boulton Paul Aircraft Limited |
| Production date | 1918 |
| Date in use | 1918-1936 |
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Adopted by:
have adopted this Sopwith Camel, one of the best known British Fighters of WW1 to honour Joseph Payden. As a young man Payden, an American citizen, crossed the Atlantic to begin final training with the ‘American Aviation Detachment’. Posted to France in 1918 as part of the Independent Air Force Payden went on to fly Sopwith Camels with the newly formed Royal Air Force after its formation. As an American flying with the Royal Flying Corps and the newly formed Royal Air Force Joseph Payden could, quite correctly, be called the first Exchange Officer.
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