The latest in the 'Duel' series is this one on the Fokker Dr.I and Sopwith Camel. These aircraft are nearly legendary due to the fate of the 'Red Baron', Manfred von Richthofen, who was allegedly shot down by Roy Brown, flying a Sopwith Camel. We now are pretty sure that he was in fact killed by Australian ground fire, but the legend continues on.

Both aircraft were rotary engine powered and both required a level of skill beyond previous types to master. However, in the right hands, both were quite deadly. The Dr.I triplane was extremely maneuverable and able to climb much faster than its opponents. Conversely, the Camel was blessed with an abundance of power which allowed its pilot to more easily leave combat once the plane was damaged or it had run out of ammunition.

The down sides of the planes were that the Camel's power also meant that it was a difficult plane to fly and many unwary pilots lost their lives in accidents when they were not paying strict attention to what they were doing. The Dr.I was hampered by an engine that wasn't the best and prone to malfunctions, especially when it was hot as the German synthetic castor oil would fail and cause engine seizures. Not a good thing. Add to this that most German fighter pilots had come from planes that were powered by water-cooled inline engines and were not used to the torque pull of the rotaries. As much because of this as with problems in quality control, the Dr.I had a relatively short combat history. Not so the Camel which not only equipped more and more units, but also lasted on post-war with the RAF and other Air Forces.

Author Guttman covers the initial development and unit use of these two types. The book tries to concentrate as much as it can on Triplane vs Camel encounters, which shows the sometimes disparity in the operation of the types. Some of the more notable Triplane or Camel aces are highlighted, including many of their encounters with each other. Technical specifications and an analytical comparison of the two types are highlighted as are the differences in tactical use of airpower by the British and Germans, something that is often overlooked by enthusiasts. Often times, tactics can be as valuable as a superior piece of equipment.

In all it is a superb look at two of the more famous aircraft that fought in the Great War. It is a book that I know you will enjoy and one that I can highly recommend to students of the type and enthusiasts alike.

March 2008

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