Sopwtih Camel Pilot Head Position

[zarkov]

The head position of the Sopwith Camel's pilot seems a little high; it's significantly over the windshield.

[gyrene81]

It's so you can taste the oil...make sure it's fresh.

Here's a vid that shows some close views of a pilot in the cockpit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22o010KJje4&feature=related

[infowars]

Are you guys talking about a WWI plane? 

Who flies those?

[zarkov]

It's so you can taste the oil...make sure it's fresh.

Here's a vid that shows some close views of a pilot in the cockpit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22o010KJje4&feature=related

I just looked at it.  The pilot's head is right behind the windshield, where it belongs, not a foot over it.

[gyrene81]

Check again sir....if u look real close, that windscreen is about 18 inches or so high and his chin is about level with the top when he is sitting upright not slouched over...there are a couple of other videos that show the same thing. Besides, you would not want to be looking through that windscreen.

[froger]

Are you guys talking about a WWI plane? 

Who flies those?

just thinkin that my self 

[Max]

Are you guys talking about a WWI plane? 

Is there a WW2 Sopwith Camel I don't know about?

[zarkov]

Check again sir....if u look real close, that windscreen is about 18 inches or so high and his chin is about level with the top when he is sitting upright not slouched over...there are a couple of other videos that show the same thing. Besides, you would not want to be looking through that windscreen.

It doesn't make any sense to have the windscreen placed such that it obstructs the passage of air hitting the pilot's chest instead of his chin.

I suspect that the pilot is either freakishly tall or he's sitting on a phone book.

I've seen period photos of various WWI air-craft and the biggest argument for the head being too high in AH2 in the Sopwith Camel is that in every photo I've seen, the gun-sight lines up with the windshield, not above it.

[AWwrgwy]

It doesn't make any sense to have the windscreen placed such that it obstructs the passage of air hitting the pilot's chest instead of his chin.

I suspect that the pilot is either freakishly tall or he's sitting on a phone book.

I've seen period photos of various WWI air-craft and the biggest argument for the head being too high in AH2 in the Sopwith Camel is that in every photo I've seen, the gun-sight lines up with the windshield, not above it.

The windshield isn't designed to obstruct anything.  It is designed to redirect the air over the pilot.

Example:

Racing Shelby Cobra



Notice the relationship of the "pilot" to the windscreen.

Another example:

motorcycle



The "pilot" still looks over the windscreen which redirects the air over his head.

You're over thinking things.  It's WW I.  They're not in a car, protected from the elements.


wrongway