A book on Sopwith fighter aircraft? Explore here illustrated books on the history, types and deployment of Sopwith fighter aircraft from World War I.
Pure Luck : The authorised biography of Sir Thomas Sopwith 1888-1989
Sir Thomas Sopwith's 101-year life spanned aviation history. A contemporary of the Wright Brothers, he went on to become a highly successful aeroplane manufacturer in his own right: his Camel and Pup revolutionised aerial combat in the First World War. His Hurricane and Lancaster were amongst the most successful designs of the Second and the remarkable Harrier 'jump jet' emerged from an industrial empire that employed up to 127,000 people. But Thomas Sopwith was more than a remarkable aviation pioneer and industrialist, he was a sportsman in the old tradition and one of the world's leading 120 metre class yachtsmen.
"Pure Luck" traces the remarkable history of Sopwith, narrates the moments of triumph and tragedy during his early life and describes the events leading to his 80-year involvement in aeronautics - ballooning, early days at Brooklands and the founding of Sopwith Aviation. His wisdom and record of achievement are recorded as "Pure Luck" places in perspective Tommy Sopwith's astonishing career and highlights many events in his private and business life. With justification Sir Thomas Sopwith can be classed among the most influential non-political figures this century, but during his life he turned down many requests from authors keen to write his biography. It was only a few months before he died in 1989 that he agreed to let Alan Bramson do it.
Author:
Alan E. Bramson
Specs:
288 pages, 23.5 x 15.5 x 1.8 cm / 9.25 x 6.1 x 0.71 in, paperback
Illustrations:
90+ b&w photos
Publisher:
Crecy Publishing (GB, 2005)
ISBN:
9780859791069
Pure Luck : The authorised biography of Sir Thomas Sopwith 1888-1989
An icon of World War I aerial combat, the Sopwith Camel was a superb dogfighter in the hands of a pilot who could master its vicious idiosyncrasies. The first British fighter to be armed with twin machine guns, the Camel packed a considerable punch and was highly successful, notching up a considerable number of aerial victories. The Camel was a remarkable aircraft, and one that could perform in a variety of roles, including as a ground strafer, a night fighter and a carrier-based fighter. As newer, higher performance aircraft types were introduced and began to eclipse it, the dominance of the Camel declined and losses mounted. Nevertheless, Camels appeared over battlefields throughout the war and beyond, notably in the Russian Civil War.
Contents: Introduction - Design and Development - Technical Specifications and Variants - Operational History - Conclusion - Bibliography and Further Reading.
Author:
Jon Guttman
Specs:
64 pages, 24.5 x 18.5 x 0.8 cm / 9.7 x 7.3 x 0.31 in, paperback
Sopwith Camel Manual 1916-1920 (F.1 / 2F.1) - An insight into owning, restoring, servicing and flying (Haynes Aircraft Manual)
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.
This book gives an insight into owning, restoring, servicing and flying Britain's iconic First World War biplane fighter.
Jarrod Cotter has been given rare access to 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.
Author:
Jarrod Cotter
Specs:
160 pages, 27.5 x 22 x 1.4 cm / 10.8 x 8.7 x 0.55 in, hardback
Sopwith Camels Over Italy 1917-1918 - Rare photographs from wartime archives (Images of War)
During the First World War, Italy was on the side of their British Allies and their fight was against the Austro-Hungarian Empire, bordering on Austria. In October 1917, the Austro-Hungarians managed to push the Italians back during the battle of Caporetto. With the danger signs obvious, both Britain and France sent reinforcements.
Britain's Royal Flying Corps sent three squadrons of Sopwith Camel fighters, plus one RE8 reconnaissance squadron, and these Camel squadrons fought gallantly over the plains and mountainous regions of north-east Italy, sharing the air battle with aircraft of the Italian Air Force. Despite the difference in landscape between France and Italy, the Camel pilots employed the same air-fighting tactics and assisted in ground support missions that proved just as destructive in Italy as they had in France.
Accompanied by a large selection of photographs of the men and the machines that saw action in this conflict, this book is a welcome addition to Pen and Sword's Images of War series.
Author:
Norman Franks
Specs:
144 pages, 24.5 x 19 cm / 9.7 x 7.5 in, paperback
Illustrations:
130 b&w photos
Publisher:
Pen & Sword Books Ltd (GB, 2018)
Series:
Images of War
ISBN:
9781526723086
Sopwith Camels Over Italy 1917-1918 - Rare photographs from wartime archives
Amid the continuous struggle for aerial superiority during World War I, two aircraft types were at the forefront. Both rotary engined fighters, the Sopwith Camel and the Fokker Dr I triplane were relatively slow for their time, but were regarded as the most manoeuvrable machines produced during the conflict, and the classic pair for a tight, evenly matched dogfight at close quarters.
In this book Jon Guttman examines the fascinating story of the design and development of these deadly foes. First-hand accounts and innovative cockpit-view artwork give a thrilling insight into the pilots' experiences during the world's first aerial duels and helps explain their successes and failures.
Author:
Jon Guttman
Specs:
80 pages, 24.5 x 18.5 x 0.9 cm / 9.7 x 7.3 x 0.35 in, paperback
The inspiration behind the iconic Fokker Dr I, Sopwith's Triplane was built as a replacement for the company's hugely successful, and much loved, Pup. Thanks to its massive wing area, the revolutionary Triplane boasted an unmatched rate of climb and greatly improved manoeuvrability. Indeed, when the type made its combat debut in late 1916, the Triplane could easily out-fight any other aircraft operated by either side. Used exclusively by the Royal Naval Air Service and the French Navy, theTriplane had a far greater impact on the aerial war over the Western Front than its meagre production numbers really deserved. Pilots such as Ray Collishaw, Bob Little and Roderic Dallas all enjoyed success in the bloody struggle for aerial supremacy over the Western Front in 1917. The first volume in print devoted exclusively to Triplane aces, this book includes numerous first-hand accounts, detailed appendices, more than 90 rare photographs and over 40 all-new colour profiles and planforms.
Contents: The Sopwith Triplane Scout - Naval Eight - No 9 Naval Squadron - No 10 Naval and the Black Flight - Appendices.
Author:
Norman L. R. Franks
Specs:
96 pages, 24.5 x 18.5 x 0.6 cm / 9.7 x 7.3 x 0.24 in, paperback
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