Sopwith Camel (Canadian: 187 )
Sopwith Camel
By unknown RAF photographer - gallery link image link, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8473883
The Sopwith Camel became the most successful British fighter of the First World War. The Sopwith F.1 and 2F.1 Camel first went into operations on the Western Front in 1917 and then served in virtually every theatre of Royal Flying Corps (RFC), Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) and Royal Air Force (RAF) service. Several Canadian aces used the Camel as their mount. The Camel was very manoeuvrable, and it could be tricky to fly in the hands of a novice pilot. For experienced pilots, however, the aircraft proved to be a superb fighter.
The Camel's machine-guns were mounted on the forward fuselage with their breeches enclosed in a faired metal cowling "hump" that gave the Camel its name. Several Camels were also shipped to Canada in the post-war period as part of an Imperial gift. Three registered Sopwith F.1 Camels entered service with the RCAF at Camp Borden in 1924. The following year, the RCAF purchased seven additional aircraft to provide further spares for the active aircraft. These latter aircraft were in fact 2F.1 models that had been "navalized" variants. Used primarily by wartime experienced fighter pilots for refresher training, the Camels lasted another five years before finally being scrapped. Wikipedia
Sopwith Camel
Wikipedia Sopwith Camel
Harold A Skaarup Web Page
Sopwith Camel - Kestrel Publications
CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (10), Canadian Aircraft Losses (41)Camel B847
Camel B2177
Camel B3782
s/n
B3782
Camel B3795
s/n
B3795
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;203
1918-April-21 KIFA RAF Flt sub-Lieutenant David Leland 'Barney' Bawlf 2023-09-13Camel B3798
s/n
B3798
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;203
1918-April-01 KIFA RAF Lieutenant Patrick Aurelian 'Orval' Adam 2023-10-24Camel B3832
Camel B3840
Camel B3867
Camel B3888
Camel B3927
Camel B3940
Camel B3945
Camel B5153
Camel B5156
Camel B5159
Camel B5177
Camel B5193
Camel B5210
Camel B5410
s/n
B5410
1F.1
Camel B5563
s/n
B5563
Known Squadron Assignments: ;School
1918-April-08 KIFA RAF Lieutenant Robert Elsmere Brooks 2023-01-10Camel B5598
Camel B5600
Camel B5654
Camel B5670
Camel B6201
Camel B6202
Camel B6217
Camel B6222
Camel B6257
Camel B6262
Camel B6268
Camel B6282
Camel B6300
Camel B6313
Camel B6315
Camel B6321
s/n
B6321
1F.1
Camel B6326
Camel B6341
Camel B6356
Camel B6363
Camel B6391
Camel B6412
Camel B6428
s/n
B6428
1F.1
Camel B6446
Camel B7142
Camel B7185
s/n
B7185
Camel B7216
Camel B7218
Camel B7240
Camel B7247
s/n
B7247
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;209
1918-April-01 KIFA RAF Flight Commander Fred Everest Banbury DSC 2023-07-03Camel B7249
Camel B7250
s/n
B7250
1F.1
Camel B7263
Camel B7270
Camel B7278
Camel B7280
s/n
B7280
Camel B7285
s/n
B7285
Camel B7294
Camel B7334
Camel B7351
Camel B7363
Camel B7388
s/n
B7388
Camel B7399
s/n
B7399
1F.1
Camel B7456
Camel B7475
s/n
B7475
Camel B7479
s/n
B7479
1F.1
Camel B7745
Camel B7760
Camel B8101
Camel B9142
Camel B9222
Camel B9275
Camel B9288
Camel B9306
Camel B9308
s/n
B9308
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;28
Camel B9319
Camel B9429
Camel C139
s/n
C139
the Neuport and General Aircraft Co. Ltd.
1F.1
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;201
À 0000-01-011918-July-29 KIFA RAF Second-Lieutenant Arthur Cecil Forrest 2024-02-03Camel C1699
s/n
C1699
Boulton & Paul Ltd.
Norwich
1F.1
Norwich
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;80
À 0000-01-011917-April-06 MIA RAF Second-Lieutenant Harry Saxon Pell 2022-04-13Camel C6722
Camel C8204
Camel C8214
s/n
C8214
Camel C8216
Camel C8217
Camel C8247
s/n
C8247
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;43
1918-April-10 KIA RAF Lieutenant Henry Stuart Lewis MiD, CDGF 2024-02-15Camel C8266
Camel C8296
s/n
C8296
Camel C8305
s/n
C8305
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;96
1918-June-18 KIFA RAF Lieutenant George Cyril Rae Hamilton 2023-06-14Camel C8329
Camel C8344
s/n
C8344
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;3
1918-September-02 KIA RAF Lieutenant Victor Henry McElroy DFC 2023-10-26Camel C8391
Camel D1776
s/n
D1776
Ruston Proctor & Co. Ltd.
Lincoln
1F.1
Lincoln
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;73
À 0000-01-011918-April-25 KIA RAF Lieutenant Albert Nathaniel Baker 2023-09-26Camel D1783
s/n
D1783
Ruston Proctor & Co. Ltd.
Lincoln
1F.1
Lincoln
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;73
À 0000-01-011918-August-10 MIA RAF Lieutenant Stephen Arthur Dawson 2023-09-26Camel D1789
s/n
D1789
Ruston Proctor & Co. Ltd.
Lincoln
1F.1
Lincoln
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;80
À 0000-01-011918-June-27 MIA RAF Lieutenant Walter Roy Archibald 2023-09-26Camel D1792
s/n
D1792
Ruston Proctor & Co. Ltd.
Lincoln
1F.1
Lincoln
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;65
À 0000-01-011918-July-09 KIFA RAF Lieutenant Montague Herbert Bird 2024-03-16Camel D1852
s/n
D1852
Ruston Proctor & Co. Ltd.
Lincoln
1F.1
Lincoln
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;208
À 0000-01-011918-May-08 KIA RAF Captain Roderick McDonald 2023-09-26Camel D1870
s/n
D1870
Ruston Proctor & Co. Ltd.
Lincoln
1F.1
Lincoln
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;43
À 0000-01-011918-July-25 RAF Lieutenant Robert Ellaby Meredith 2024-03-15Camel D1954
s/n
D1954
Ruston Proctor & Co. Ltd.
Lincoln
1F.1
Lincoln
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;73
À 0000-01-011918-July-24 KIFA RAF Second-Lieutenant George Vail Raymond 2023-10-11Camel D3320
Camel D3360
Camel D3367
s/n
D3367
1F.1
Camel D3374
Camel D3378
Camel D3381
s/n
D3381
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;210
1918-June-17 KIA RAF Second-Lieutenant Kenneth Turner Campbell 2024-02-03Camel D3409
Camel D3415
Camel D3424
Camel D4248
Camel D6069
Camel D6389
Camel D6419
s/n
D6419
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;80;80th
1918-May-10 KIA RAF Second Lieutenant George Alfred 'Fred' Whately 2022-09-29Camel D6461
s/n
D6461
1F.1
Camel D6463
s/n
D6463
1F.1
Camel D6509
Camel D6564
Camel D6588
s/n
D6588as/n
F 6069
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;65
Camel D6630
s/n
D6630
1F.1
Camel D6679
Camel D6693
Camel D8175
Camel D8208
Camel D8211
Camel D8219
Camel D8238
s/n
D8238
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;45
Camel D8241
Camel D9404
s/n
D9404
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;65
1918-July-02 KIA RAF Second-Lieutenant Alexander MacBeth Sutherland 2023-10-04Camel D9405
s/n
D9405
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;46
1918-September-18 KIA RAF Lieutenant Herbert Clement Saunders MM 2024-03-15Camel D9460
Camel D9481
s/n
D9481
Camel D9483
s/n
D9483
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;80
1918-September-06 MIA RAF Second-Lieutenant James Andrew McGill 2023-09-26Camel D9510
s/n
D9510
Known Squadron Assignments: ;4
1918-June-27 MIA RAF Lieutenant John Sandfield McDonald Browne 2023-09-26Camel D9538
Camel D9594
s/n
D9594
Camel D9594
s/n
D9594
Camel D9596
Camel D9613
Camel D9630
s/n
D9630
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;204
1918-August-18 KIA RAF Lieutenant Cecil Dutton Darlington 2023-01-27Camel D9637
s/n
D9637
Camel D9641
Camel D9648
Camel D9671
s/n
D9671
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;203
1918-August-23 KIA RAF Captain John Playford 'Jack' Hales Mentioned in Dispatches 2024-01-20Camel E4390
Camel E4409
s/n
E4409
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;213
1918-September-20 KIA RAF Second-Lieutenant Milton George Cruise 2024-02-03Camel E4418
s/n
E4418
1F.1
Known Squadron Assignments: ;204
1918-September-15 MIA RAF Second-Lieutenant Ronald Campbell Pattullo 2021-08-18Camel E5147
Camel E7137
Camel E7165
Camel E7183
Camel E7184
Camel E7198
Camel E7213
Camel E7222
Camel F1917
Camel F1960
s/n
F1960
1F.1
Camel F2135
Camel F2160
s/n
F2160
1F.1
Camel F2197
Camel F3101
Camel F3103
Camel F3103
s/n
F3103
Camel F3106
s/n
F3106
Camel F3940
Camel F3964
Camel F4179
Camel F5014
Camel F5934
Camel F6026
Camel F6188
Camel F6322
Camel F6426
Camel F8509
Camel F9576
Camel F9632
Camel G‑CYFP
s/n
G-CYFPc/r
G‑CYFP
Boulton & Paul Ltd.
Norwich
F.1
Norwich
F.1
Ex RAF F6481. Part of 1919 Imperial Gift to Canada. Used at Camp Borden, Ontario, for training. Reported there on 7 October 1924, may have been operating there previously with only RAF serial marked. Fitted with either 110 hp Le Rhone 9J or 130 hp Clerget 9B engine. Flown at Borden 02 Dec 1924 by S/L Anderson. Badly damaged in a hangar fire in 1923 but authorization to scrap not given until 7 June 1927. 2022-01-25
1920-October-07 Taken on Strength Registration issued. Griffin showed date as 1924-10-07. 2022-01-25
1927-June-23 Struck off Strength Struck off. Walker gives date as 1928-10-18 2020-09-27
1920-October-07 Taken on Strength Registration issued. Griffin showed date as 1924-10-07. 2022-01-25
1927-June-23 Struck off Strength Struck off. Walker gives date as 1928-10-18 2020-09-27
Camel G‑CYFQ
s/n
G-CYFQc/r
G‑CYFQ
Boulton & Paul Ltd.
Norwich
F.1
Norwich
F.1
Ex RAF F6473. Part of 1919 Imperial Gift to Canada. Used at Camp Borden, Ontario, for training. Fitted with either 110 hp Le Rhone 9J or 130 hp Clerget 9B engine. Badly damaged in a hangar fire in 1923 but authorization to scrap not given until 7 June 1927. 2022-01-25
1920-November-17 Taken on Strength Registration issued on 17 November 1924. Kestrel showed TOS 1920-11-17. 2022-01-25
1927-June-23 Struck off Strength Struck off. Walker reports date as 1928-10-18 2020-09-27
1920-November-17 Taken on Strength Registration issued on 17 November 1924. Kestrel showed TOS 1920-11-17. 2022-01-25
1927-June-23 Struck off Strength Struck off. Walker reports date as 1928-10-18 2020-09-27
Camel G‑CYFR
s/n
G-CYFRc/r
G‑CYFR
Boulton & Paul Ltd.
Norwich
1F.1
Norwich
1F.1
Part of 1919 Imperial Gift to Canada. Used at Camp Borden, Ontario, for training. Fitted with either 110 hp Le Rhone 9J or 130 hp Clerget 9B engine. Badly damaged in a hangar fire in 1923 but authorization to scrap not given until 7 June 1927. 2022-01-25
1920-November-17 Registration Issued Registration issued, at Camp Borden. Kestrel showed TOS 1920-11-17. 2022-01-25
1924-November-17 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1927-June-23 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
1920-November-17 Registration Issued Registration issued, at Camp Borden. Kestrel showed TOS 1920-11-17. 2022-01-25
1924-November-17 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1927-June-23 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Camel H771
Camel N6337
Camel N6360
Camel N6368
Camel N7357
s/n
N7357
2F.1
Purchased from RAF in UK, contract dated 17 April 1925. Arrived at Camp Borden on 12 August 1925, held as spares for 3 Camels operated as trainers at Camp Borden. Probably never assembled or flown in Canada. Disassembly approved on 3 September 1925. Reported as "no trace of disposal or location" on 29 July 1927. Struck off date also noted as 18 November 1928, this is probably date all Camels were withdrawn from use. Records suggest aircraft (or parts of aircraft) was with Air Cadets or at ITA before being struck off, but no exact dates found. 0000-01-01
1925-August-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1928-November-18 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
1942-June-24 Free Issue Free issue to Institute of Technology and Arts in Calgary, Alberta (now Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) 2019-08-20
1925-August-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1928-November-18 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
1942-June-24 Free Issue Free issue to Institute of Technology and Arts in Calgary, Alberta (now Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) 2019-08-20
Camel N7359
s/n
N7359
2F.1
Purchased from RAF in UK. Arrived at Camp Borden in August 1925, held as spares for 3 Camels operated as trainers at Camp Borden. Probably never assembled or flown in Canada. Other history probably similar to N7357, but no details found. 0000-01-01
1925-August-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1928-October-18 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
1925-August-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1928-October-18 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Camel N7364
s/n
N7364
2F.1
Purchased from RAF in UK. Arrived at Camp Borden in August 1925, held as spares for 3 Camels operated as trainers at Camp Borden. Probably never assembled or flown in Canada. Other history probably similar to N7357, but no details found. 0000-01-01
1925-August-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1927-June-07 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
1925-August-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1927-June-07 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Camel N7367
s/n
N7367
2F.1
Purchased from RAF in UK. Arrived at Camp Borden in August 1925, held as spares for 3 Camels operated as trainers at Camp Borden. Probably never assembled or flown in Canada. Other history probably similar to N7357, but no details found. 0000-01-01
1925-August-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1928-November-18 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
1925-August-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1928-November-18 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Camel N8153
s/n
N8153
2F.1
Purchased from RAF in UK. Arrived at Camp Borden in August 1925, held as spares for 3 Camels operated as trainers at Camp Borden. Probably never assembled or flown in Canada. Other history probably similar to N7357, but no details found. 0000-01-01
1925-August-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1929-July-22 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
1925-August-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1929-July-22 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Camel N8156
s/n
N8156
2F.1
Purchased from RAF in UK. Arrived at Camp Borden in August 1925, held as spares for 3 Camels operated as trainers at Camp Borden. Probably never assembled or flown in Canada. Other history probably similar to N7357, but no details found. Still at Camp Borden in 1928. Later passed to National Aeronautical Collection, Rockcliffe. Believed to still be on Canadian Forces books. 0000-01-01
unkown date Struck off Strength 2020-10-26
1925-August-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
unkown date Struck off Strength 2020-10-26
1925-August-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
Camel N8204
s/n
N8204
2F.1
Purchased from RAF in UK. Arrived at Camp Borden in August 1925, held as spares for 3 Camels operated as trainers at Camp Borden. Probably never assembled or flown in Canada. Other history probably similar to N7357, but no details found. 0000-01-01
1925-August-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1928-November-18 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
1925-August-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1928-November-18 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
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