Twin Vickers Nightfighter Camel

[UK_Widowmaker 571]

Just stumbled across this picture on the web

 

Interesting if true?

 

The cockpit was moved further back, and only had top mounted guns to prevent Muzzle Flash ruining the Pilots Night Vision

Edited September 24, 2009 by UK_Widowmaker

[Dej 17]

You mean twin Lewis, WM

 

It's a Sopwith Camel "Comic" Night fighter

 

Pilot seat moved to rear. The twin Vickers guns were replaced with two Lewis guns firing forward over the top wing on Foster mountings. Served with Home Defence Squadrons against German air raids. The "Comic" nickname was of course unofficial (according to some, but... see below) and was shared with the night fighter version of the Sopwith 1½ Strutter, see below

 

1½ Strutter "Comic"

 

Captain F.W. Honnett, Flight Commander of "A" Flight No. 78 Sqn (HD) RFC, suggested a modification of one of the 1½ Strutters by moving the pilot's seat and all the controls into the observer's position, his argument being poor visibility from the regular pilot's seat. The original pilot's position was faired over, and the plane was equipped with a night searchlight.

 

The first three 1½ Strutters modified to the new standard by the Southern Aircraft Repair Depot joined 78 Sqn in September 1917. During the night raid over London on the night of October 31st/November 1st 1917 they opposed twenty-two enemy Gothas. 78 Sqn pilots dubbed this unusual plane the 'Comic fighter'. Initially the armament of this aircraft consisted of only a single course Vickers gun; later Comics were equipped with a Lewis gun on a flexible Foster mounting. It should be also mentioned that at least one aircraft, namely B762, had two Lewises on a special fixed mounting and could fire at a 70° angle.

 

1½ Strutter Comics were intensively used by 78 Sqn until February 1918, flying night intercept missions against Gothas and Giant R-planes. Due to the poor performance of this type, it was never put into series production. At the beginning of 1918 the night fighter version of the famous Sopwith Camel (which ironically received the official name Sopwith Comic) replaced the 1½ Strutter Comic and other obsolete night-fighters in many Home Defence units.

[UK_Widowmaker 571]

Quite right Dej..Lewis's is what I meant.

 

Yes, now There is a challenge for the OBD boys!..A camel with a searchlight!!

[Bullethead 12]

Yes, now There is a challenge for the OBD boys!..A camel with a searchlight!!

 

That's nothing. Check out this abortion...

 

The Pemberton-Billings PB-31. You might recall that Pemberton-Billing was a rather outspoken MP whose favorite subject was Home Defense. He didn't think the establishment was doing a good enough job making airplanes for the mission so he built his own. This thing actually flew a couple times.......

 

Armed with a 1pdr rocket gun plus 2 Lewises and a searchlight in the nose. The enclosed, bulky cabin was to help enable the thing to stay airborne for 18 HOURS!!!!

 

Needless to say, this is a proud member of the collection at the Museum of Diseased Imaginings

Edited September 24, 2009 by Bullethead