British Fighter Aircraft in World War I

Design, Construction and Innovation

Mark C. Wilkins

• Publisher: Casemate
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781612008813
• eBook ISBN: 9781612008820
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Military & Maritime History
• Index: History

A vivid pictorial history: "Buy this book right now. It is rare that ISD gives an instant five-star rating to any new volume, but [this] is a rare book." — Indy Squadron Dispatch World War I witnessed unprecedented growth and innovation in aircraft design, construction, and—as the war progressed—mass production. Each country generated its own innovations, sometimes in surprising ways—Albatros Fokker, Pfalz, and Junkers in Germany and Nieuport, Spad, Sopwith, and Bristol in France and Britain. This book focuses on the British approach to fighter design, construction, and mass production. Initially the French led the way in Allied fighter development with their Bleriot trainers, then nimble Nieuport Scouts—culminating with the powerful, fast gun platforms as exemplified by the Spads. The Spads had a major drawback however, in that they were difficult and counterintuitive to fix in the field. The British developed fighters in a very different way; Tommy Sopwith had a distinctive approach to fighter design that relied on lightly loaded wings and simple functional box-girder fuselages. His Camel was revolutionary as it combined all the weight well forward, enabling the Camel to turn very quickly—but also making it an unforgiving fighter for the inexperienced. The Royal Aircraft Factory's SE5a represented another leap forward with its comfortable cockpit, modern instrumentation, and inline engine—clearly influenced by both Spads and German aircraft. Each manufacturer and design team vied for the upper hand and deftly and quickly appropriated good ideas from other companies—be they friend or foe. Developments in tactics and deployment also influenced design—from the early reconnaissance planes, to turn fighters, and finally planes that relied upon formation tactics, speed, and firepower. This book tells their story through extensive photos and accompanying text. "Handy not only as an aircraft model reference, but also as great reading for all history fans." — DetailScaleView "Sidebars add important information at the proper place." — Air Power History

Appendix 1

°e 1915 Defence of the Realm

Act

Be it enacted by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of

the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled,

and by the authority of the same, as follows:

His Majesty in Council has power during the continuance of the present war to issue regulations for securing

the public safety and defence of the realm, and as to the powers and duties for that purpose of the Admiralty

and Army Council and of the members of His Majesty’s forces and other persons acting on his behalf; and may

by such regulations authorise the trial by courts-martial, or in the case of minor offences by courts of summary

jurisdiction, and punishment of persons committing offences against the regulations and in particular against

any of the provisions of such regulations designed …

It shall be lawful for the Admiralty or Army Council—

(a) to require that there shall be placed at their disposal the whole or any part of the output of any factory

or workshop in which arms, ammunition, or warlike stores or equipment, or any articles required for

the production thereof, are manufactured;

(b) to take possession of and use for the purpose of His Majesty’s naval or military service any such factory

or workshop or any plant thereof; and regulations und this Act may be made accordingly.

Defence of the Realm Act Catalogue reference: MUN 5/19/221/8, 5 Geo. 5. Defence of the Realm Consolidation

Act, 1914, Ch.8. An Act to consolidate and amend the Defence of the Realm Acts. 27th November 1914. http://

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/transcripts/first_world_war/defence_oſthe-realm.htm

174

British Fighter Aircraft in World War I

Appendix 2

Aircraſt Designer Patents

A. V. Roe Patents

This mechanism enabled the horizontal stabilizer and elevators

to vary the angle of incidence (up or down) to trim the aircraft in

flight, thus eliminating the need for the stick to compensate for

excessive climbing or diving of the aircraft.

175

Appendices

This patent was for what amounted to a balancing

mechanism for control surfaces, which made them easier

to handle from the cockpit (the pilot didn’t have to use as

much muscle to move various control surface).

176

British Fighter Aircraft in World War I

This patent refers to a mechanism for dual control of a given aircraft,

such that tandem cockpits as each are equipped with a full set of

controls. This was important for trai...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Acknowledgements
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• The British Aircraft Industry
• The British and Colonial Aeroplane Company (B&CAC)/Bristol
• The Royal Aircraft Factory
• Aircraft Manufacturing Company (Airco)
• A. V. Roe & Company (Avro)
• Sopwith Aviation Company
• Engines and Props
• Conclusion
• Appendix 1: The 1915 Defence of the Realm Act
• Appendix 2: Aircraft Designer Patents
• Notes
• Bibliography