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Considered by many to be the best Allied fighter in service at the end of World War I, the Sopwith 7F.1 Snipe was designed by Herbert Smith to replace the aging Sopwith Camel. Custom built around the powerful 230 hp Bentley BR2 engine, the Snipe wasn't much faster than the Camel but it was easier to fly, offered better visibility from the cockpit and had an improved rate of climb.

On 27 October 1918, Canadian ace William Barker made the Sopwith Snipe famous in a single-handed battle with more than 60 enemy aircraft that earned him the Victoria Cross.

With 7 confirmed victories, Australian Elwyn King scored more victories with the Snipe than any other ace.
 
Sopwith Snipe Specifications
Country: Great Britain
Manufacturer: Sopwith Aviation Company
Type: Fighter
First Introduced: 1918
Number Built: 1,500
Engine(s): Bentley B.R.2, 230 hp
Wing Span: 31 ft 1 in
Wing Area: 271 sq ft
Length: 19 ft 10 in
Height: 9 ft 6 in
Empty Weight: 1312 lb
Gross Weight: 2020 lb
Max Speed: 121 mph
Ceiling: 19,500 ft
Endurance: 3 hrs
Crew: 1
Armament: 2 machine guns
 
Sopwith Snipe Units
Australian Flying Corps: 4, 8
Royal Air Force: 201, 208
Royal Flying Corps: 43, 87
 
Sopwith Snipe Aces (3)
1 Australia King, Elwyn Roy 7
2 Australia Baker, Thomas Charles Richmond 6
3 Australia Palliser, Arthur John 5
 
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