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The Sopwith Snipe was developed to succeed the famous Camel and designed specifically to take advantage of the 230-horsepower Bentley B.R.2 rotary engine. Resembling a more muscular Camel, the Snipe improved the pilot's upward visibility. The first Snipes reached the Western Front in August 1918, too late to contribute significantly to the Allied cause.
By November 1918, only three squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps--two British and one Australian--were equipped with Snipes. Snipes were also intended for the Royal Naval Air Service and Home Defence duties, but they did not make it into active service before the end of the war. Snipes continued to serve with the Royal Air Force until 1926. A total of 1,550 Snipes were built, mostly after the war. Armament consisted of two .303 Vickers machine guns with interrupter gear to fire through the propeller arc.
The Snipe is perhaps best known for the epic air battle on October 27, 1918, in which Canadian ace Major William Barker single-handedly engaged fifteen Fokker D.VIIs. Barker was attacked by the Fokkers after shooting down a Rumpler C type. In the ensuing melee, Barker amazingly managed to shoot down three of his foes despite being badly wounded and fainting multiple times. Barker ultimately escaped and was awarded the Victoria Cross for this action.
The Museum's Snipe was built by Richard Day of Colonia, New Jersey and completed in 1982. It incorporates a modern Continental 220-horsepower radial engine, but otherwise is an authentic reproduction of a Snipe in postwar Royal Air Force service.
The Sopwith Snipe was developed to succeed the famous Camel and designed specifically to take advantage of the 230-horsepower Bentley B.R.2 rotary engine. Resembling a more muscular Camel, the Snipe improved the pilot's upward visibility. The first Snipes reached the Western Front in August 1918, too late to contribute significantly to the Allied cause.
By November 1918, only three squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps--two British and one Australian--were equipped with Snipes. Snipes were also intended for the Royal Naval Air Service and Home Defence duties, but they did not make it into active service before the end of the war. Snipes continued to serve with the Royal Air Force until 1926. A total of 1,550 Snipes were built, mostly after the war. Armament consisted of two .303 Vickers machine guns with interrupter gear to fire through the propeller arc.
The Snipe is perhaps best known for the epic air battle on October 27, 1918, in which Canadian ace Major William Barker single-handedly engaged fifteen Fokker D.VIIs. Barker was attacked by the Fokkers after shooting down a Rumpler C type. In the ensuing melee, Barker amazingly managed to shoot down three of his foes despite being badly wounded and fainting multiple times. Barker ultimately escaped and was awarded the Victoria Cross for this action.
The Museum's Snipe was built by Richard Day of Colonia, New Jersey and completed in 1982. It incorporates a modern Continental 220-horsepower radial engine, but otherwise is an authentic reproduction of a Snipe in postwar Royal Air Force service.
