Sopwith Camel - RAF museum (London)

[Jim]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/111918332@N02/sets/72157639613154333/

[Ernie]

Thanks for posting Jim...some helpful photos there.  It's a shame
they don't have the aeroplane on the floor, but well done.

Cheers,
Ernie

[Jim]

Thanks Ernie - Think I still have the crick in my neck!

[Nigel Jackson]

Many thanks Jim, as ever.

That's a very high gloss cowling etc! Is this how they really were, if only at the beginning?

I've seen photos of Camel cowlings covered with distinctive and very regular small marks which reflect light in a different way - a bit like the irregular patterning on Eindekker turned cowlings and I also wondered how common this was?

Best wishes
Nigel

[Jim]

I've seen photos of Camel cowlings covered with distinctive and very regular small marks which reflect light in a different way

Hi Nigel - I've also wondered about why some engine cowlings have the swirled patterns so did some searching on the net and found a similar question posted on 'the aerodrome' site:

http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/aircraft/38474-cowl-swirls.html

The swirled patterns are a result of a polishing process called 'jeweling' (aka 'engine turning' or 'snailing') which was thought to reduce glare and help hold oil on the surface of the worked metal part.

Unfortunately, I don't know how common it was for engine cowlings to be 'jeweled' - perhaps it was done in the field at the request of the pilot as a bit of 'bling'?

[Nigel Jackson]

Many thanks for the information and the link Jim.

I was much struck by two things: the apparent difference, at least on occasion, between British and German approaches to cowling jeweling; and the very shiny finish on the displayed aircraft.

Best wishes
Nigel

[Jim]

Nigel - the following link (also on 'the aerodrome' site) provides further information on the 'jeweling' process:

http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/camouflage-markings/37505-how-were-fokker-eindecker-cowls-finished.html

I've also read on other sites that the patterning was to hide hammer marks on the cowling and to simply beautify it...

[Des]

Thanks very much Jim for the photos of the beautiful Camel.

Des.