Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

This fabric was cut from a Royal Air Force Sopwith Camel F.1 aircraft of 80 Squadron RAF during World War I. The Camel is one of the most well-known aircraft from the period; its pilots collectively shot down nearly 1,300 enemy aircraft, more than any other Allied fighter of the war. According to Trevor Hinshaw's book, "The Sky Their Battlefield," Sopwith Camel, serial number B2479, flown by 2nd Lt. E.L. Smithers, was on patrol to Lamotte (20km east of Amiens/Somme) and was shot down over Proyard/Somme by Lt. Willie Mauss. Smithers, survived and was captured by the Germans.

Handwritten label of on the back of the insignia:

Engl. S.E.

abgeschossen

6.IV.18 [unreadable] (Somme)

Flieg.Abt (A) 232

Motor: 9 Cyl. 35944

[unreadable]

Lt. W. Mauss Willie

Zeuge: Lt. Ooderlade [probably]

Handwriting is a mix between Suetterlin (Altdeutsch) and modern German (Neudeutsch)

Translation:

Engl. S.E.

shot down

6.IV.18 [unreadable] (Somme)

Flieg.Abt (A) 232

Engine: 9 Cyl. 35944

[unreadable]

Lt. W. Mauss Willie

Witness: Lt. Ooderlade [probably}

Translated by Yann Wilhelm, Feb 7th, 2005.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United Kingdom Type MEMORABILIA-World War I Physical Description Royal Air Force Sopwith Camel F.1 rudder fabric; red, white, blue vertical stripes with black numeral serial number B2479; hand written text on back of fabric (see Marks for full text). Dimensions 2-D - Unframed (H x W): 53.3 x 50.8cm (21 x 20 in.)
 Materials Natural fabric, paint, dope
 Inventory Number A19500171000 Credit Line Donated by Mrs. Mary E. "Mother" Tusch Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.