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
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