Russell Waterson wrote:

It needs to be remembered that when the performance figures are expressed
say at max 130 mph that usually means when the aircraft is new and running
well. Most aircraft especially in ww1 would not be able to go the max speed
as they got damaged, worn out, maintainance not up to scatch etc. It might
be said that the Camel went 120 but in reality it was more like 110 or even
less.

OK, but that would be largely true across the board. Everyone was experiencing
slower speeds than new.

The Sopwith Camel is the quintessential WWI allied warplane, and not solely
because that's what Snoopy fights the Red Baron in.

It was a very capable aircraft, although I understand difficult to fly.
Lot's of torque roll that killed a lot of novice pilots, and required
constant attention and adjustment in flight. Considered the most maneuverable
fighter ever built by some (that torque roll brought nose up in left hand and
down in right hand turns; something experienced pilots made good use of). It
also killed more enemy aircraft than any other allied type (almost 1300).

Of course, having said that, it's possible that the Fokker Dr.I is thought
of as the quintessential German fighter of WWI, probably precisely because
of Snoopy and the "cursed Red Baron", even though it doesn't really have a
right to be considered among the best German aircraft of the war.

Probably Albatross gets that laurel and the Fokker DVII best over-all.


SMH