US Camel Units - how many, which ones?

[stephen]

Howdy friends;

Can anyone recommend a good source for all possible data regarding Sopwith Camels in US service in WWI? I'd like to know:

- Which US units used Camels? Obviously the 17th, 148th and 185th, but what about the 37th and 9th? Any others? What am I missing?
- Who built these Camels, and where?
- Did they all use the same 160 hp Gnome Monosoupape engine as the 17th and 185th, or did engines vary between units and dates?
- Were the Gnomes all supplied by Union Switch & Signal of Pennsylvania, or did European suppliers assist in outfitting US Camels as well?

Many thanks for your knowledge or any sources you can recommend. Happy new year everyone!

[MASTIFF]

From "Sopwith Camel - King of Combat" by Chaz Bowyer Appendix 6, page 158.

USAS Squadrons: 17th, 41st, 148th, 185th

[Gregvan]

The absolute best source is “The Camel File” by Ray Sturtivant and Gordon Page, Air-Britain Publications, 1993. It provides details of EVERY Camel ever produced, and quite a lot about the US Squadrons that operated Camels, even if only briefly. Aside from the 17th and 148th (which were initially under British command) and the 185th, there were a few other US Squadrons that did not see active service before the Armistice but were Camel-equipped. There are published histories of the 17th and 148th Aero Squadrons. The official “A History of the 17th Aero Squadron” by Lt. F M Clapp and published in 1918 and reprinted often, gives the serial numbers of many of the unit’s Camels. Histories of the 185th and 141st have appeared in old issues of C & C (US) and elsewhere.

17th US Aero – attached to 22nd Wing RAF by 2-4-18. Known to have been issued 68 Camels. Many of them were equipped with 110 hp Le Rhone 9J engines.

148th Aero – attached to 65th Wing 5th Brigade RAF, then 13th Wing 3rd Brigade. Known to have been issued at least 98 Camels. Most had 140 hp Clerget 9Bf engines.

185th Aero – Received first Camels on 12-10-18, all fitted with 150 hp Gnome Monosoupape engines; some Camels were received from the 147th. Received Spad XIIIs on 12-2-1919 at Grand Vosges, as replacements.

27th Aero – One flight was formed with Camels in late June/early July 1918 while awaiting Spads – a Camel flight was reportedly at Coincy forward airfield. I’ve seen one photo of a Camel from this unit, but I don’t think they lasted long or saw any action.

41st Aero – Activated 20-10-1918, did not see action before armistice. Became part of the 5th Pursuit Group, their famous insignia was a Camel stepping through a Roman numeral V.

138th Aero – Allotted Camels on 06-11-1918, but they were soon exchanged for Spad VIIs of the 41st Aero Squadron.

147th Aero – Received Camels in early October 1918, but they were soon withdrawn, to 185th Aero.

[stephen]

Originally Posted by Gregvan

185th Aero – Received first Camels on 12-10-18, all fitted with 150 hp Gnome Monosoupape engines; .

Many thanks, Greg. Until I find a copy of The Camel File, would you double check and confirm that the 185th had 150 hp Gnomes, not the 160hp version? I thought they were 160s.

[stephen]

So for anyone also interested, I spoke with Knower of All Things Fred Murrin tonight and he straightened me out on the Gnome Monosoupape 9N 150 and 160 hp engines. As suspected, they are one and the same.

The French gauged the 9N at 160 hp. Using their own measuring methods, the British rated the 9N at 150 hp. But it's the exact same motor.

I hope you all sleep better tonight. I know I will.