Sopwith Snipe

The promising Bentley B.R.2 rotary engine was the center of a new fighter based roughly on the Sopwith Camel, the Sopwith 7F.1 Snipe. Huge numbers were ordered, and the first deliveries came in the summer of 1918. However, relatively few reached the front before Armistice: ninety-seven were in France on 31 Oct 1918, despite plans to replace all Camels in early 1919. They had a thicker fuselage than the Camel to accommodate the larger engine, and the wings had equal dihedral. The plane retained excellent maneuverability, but it eliminated the hair-trigger sensitivity of the Camel.

Those who flew the Snipe thought it was the best Entente fighter available at the end of the war, and it continued service with the R.A.F. many years afterwards.

Aircraft Chart

1:144 Scale

 * Ares: WGF116A Barker; WGF116B Kazakov; WGF116C Sapozhnikov
 * Shapeways: Decapod, Kampfflieger
 * Metal kit: ,
 * Wings of War: WW08D Barker; WW08E Richmond-Baker; WW08F Ryrie

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

 * Shapeways: Decapod
 * Metal Cast:

1:300 Scale

 * Metal kit: Heroics & Ros GWA109

1:350 Scale

 * Shapeways: Decapod