Camel         Albatros         F.E.2         Halberstadt         Spitfire        Messerschmitt        Biggles Main page Biggles' Favourite Machines Sopwith Camel

Typical data 150 hp Bentley engine, span 28 ft (8.5 m), length 18 ft 9 in (5.7 m), height 8 ft 6 in (2.6 m) Maximum speed 113 mph (182 km/h), ceiling 19 000 ft (5800 m), range 250 miles (400 km) The Camel counted for about 1 300 destroyed enemy planes during WW I. It was probably the most famous aircraft during the whole war despite the fact that it was extremely hard to fly. Many pilots lost their lives training on the new machine. Camel         Albatros         F.E.2         Halberstadt         Spitfire        Messerschmitt        Biggles Main page  

Supermarine Spitfire Typical data 1440 hp RR Merlin engine, span 36 ft 10in (11.2 m), length 29 ft 11 in (9.1 m), height 11 ft 5 in (3.5 m) Maximum speed 362 mph (580 km/h), range 400 miles (640 km) The Spitfire was certainly the most famous fighter of WW II, challenged only by the Messerschmidt 109. A total of 20 300 machines were manufactured in numerous versions. One of the most potent engines managed to prop up the Spit to 450 mph (724 km/h). Camel         Albatros         F.E.2         Halberstadt         Spitfire        Messerschmitt        Biggles Main page   ...and the Notorious Antagonists Albatros D.V Typical data 185 hp Mercedes engine, span 29 ft 8in (9.1 m), length 24 ft (7.3 m), height 9 ft 4  in (2.9 m) Maximum speed 116 mph (187 km/h), range 2 hours flight This was the famous aircraft of the Richthofen Circus . It was considered a good fighter, although it had some pecularities: at take up from a heavy dive it sometimes lost its wings. Camel         Albatros         F.E.2         Halberstadt         Spitfire        Messerschmitt        Biggles Main page     Messerschmitt Bf 109 Typical data 1300 hp Daimler Benz engine, span 32 ft 4½in (9.9 m), length 28 ft 4 in (8.6 m), height 7 ft 6 in (2.3 m) Maximum speed 354 mph (570 km/h), range 460 miles (700 km) One of the greatest combat aircraft in history. The Spitfire was the only fighter which wasn't made mincemeat by Me 109 E "Emil". A total of about 35 000 machines were manufactured in many different versions. Type K-41 reached max speed 452 mph (729 km/h). Camel         Albatros         F.E.2         Halberstadt         Spitfire        Messerschmitt        Biggles Main page   And some other stuff... F.E.2 Typical data 160 hp Beardmore engine, span 47 ft  9 in (14.5 m), length 32 ft 3 in (9.8 m), height 12 ft 7in (3.8 m) Maximum speed 91 mph (146 km/h), range 180 miles (300 km) The layout with pushing propeller was due to the need to fire a machine gun without destroying the propeller. The pilot was sitting behind the gunner who sat or stood upright in the front cockpit.  Camel         Albatros         F.E.2         Halberstadt         Spitfire        Messerschmitt        Biggles Main page    Halberstadt D. II Typical data 120 hp Mercedes engine, span 28 ft 10½in (8.8 m), length 23 ft 11½ in (7.3 m), height 8 ft 9in (2.7 m) Maximum speed 90 mph (145 km/h), range 124 miles (200 km) The poor speed performance made this aircraft an easy target for Biggles and his crowd. In autumn 1917 the Germans gave up airfighting with this machine and took it to trench strafing and close support.       Back to Biggles Main page  

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