Sopwith Camel of the 41st Aero Squadron, U.S. Air Services.
(From the Smer 1/48 kit, with AeroMaster decals)
The Sopwith Camel is generally recognised as one of the best fighter aircaft of World War One, but it was extremely difficult to fly for trainee pilots, due to the gyroscope effects of the rotary engine and the compact airframe. For this reason, the first of the two-seat machines were converted at Montrose, so that the pupil pilots could get some dual-control practice before going solo. All the American Pursuit Squadrons at Montrose trained on this aircraft, even if like the 138th they went on to the Spad when they arrived in France. The Camel weighed approximately 550kg, and could be powered with engines ranging from 110 hp to 170 hp depending on version, and it was usually armed with two Vickers machine guns. Endurance was over two hours, and maximum speed about 110 m.p.h.