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Sopwith Camel
Strengths:
Heavy, powerful rotary engine
Concentrated fire from twin synchronised machine guns How this plane improved upon the last model (Sopwith Pup):
There weren't many improvements from the last model as the Camel was difficult to fly. -
Period: to
History of Kingston Aviation
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Sopwith Dolphin
Strengths:
Pilot sat with his head raised through the frame which gave him an excellent field of view
Cockpit was warm and comfortable How this plane improved upon the last model (Sopwith Camel):
It was faster than the Camel however the engines of this plane led to many failures and the Lewis guns at the front of the plane were unpopular because they were difficult to aim. -
Sopwith Snipe
Strengths:
Excellent climb and manoeuvrability
Good view from the cockpit
Good high-altitude performance How this plane improved upon the last model (Sopwith Camel):
Easier to handle than the Camel
Faster than the Camel
Better high-altitude performance than the Camel -
Sopwith Salamander
Strengths:
Good for ground-attack
Fuselage was armoured to protect the pilot and the fuel system How this plane improved upon the last model (Sopwith Snipe):
Faster than the Sopwith Snipe in maximum speed -
Hawker Hart
Strengths:
Good performance and handling, faster than most planes at that time
Cheap to produce How this plane improved upon the last model built (sopwith Salamander):
Becasue of its Rolls Royce V12 engine, it had a faster maximum speed than the Sopwith Salamander -
Hawker Hurricane
Strengths:
Good all-round visibility
Good horizontal manoeuvrability
Metal-covered wings allowed greater stress loads on it and a faster diving speed than if it had fabric-covered wings How this plane had improved upon the last model: -
Hawker Hunter
Strengths:
Excellent manoeuvrability
High maximum speed (broke several aviation records)
Swept wings to make it more streamlined How this plane improved upon the last model (Hawker Hurricane):
Hunter had a faster rate of climb and maximum climb than the Hurricane because it had a better Rolls Royce engine -
Hawker (Siddeley) Harrier
Strengths:
Good for reconaissance
Had vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) capabilites
Good for close-air support, overall for self-defense How this plane improved upon the last model (Hawker Hurricane):
It had V/STOL capabilities so did not need a runway to land unlike the Hawker Hurricane. It had a maximum speed of more than twice the Hawker Hurricane because of its Rolls-Royce Pegasus engine.
