Part 2/12:
The episode begins with an introduction to the Sopwith Snipe, a crucial British fighter plane introduced late in World War I. Designed in 1917 and entering squadron service just two months before the war ended in September 1918, the Snipe was a significant evolution from earlier aircraft like the Camel.
Performance and Design
The Snipe was capable of flying at speeds up to 130 miles per hour, a remarkable feat for its time. Its most distinctive feature was the nine-cylinder rotary engine positioned behind the pilot, a design that marked a technological pinnacle achieved by Wo Bentley, renowned for his work in automotive engineering.
Rotary Engine Mechanics