Video: Rotary Powered Sopwith Camel In Formation With A Spitfire

 If you're in a hurry, jump up to the 2:30 mark in the video to see the Sopwith's rotary engine started.  It's like a 160hp rabid animal attached to the front of the airplane!  You kinda get the feeling that the engine is the crazy master here, and the best you can do is not make it mad!  Actually it looks very cool, but you can sure see how much of a challenge operating an engine without a normal throttle is... especially one that weighs 345 pounds and spins with the prop!

 This nearly 9 minute video, from 2004, then moves on the show the WWI Sopwith Camel flying a pretty tight formation with Red Bull Air Race pilot Nigel Lamb in a WWII Supermarine Spitfire.  It's beautifully shot and is quite a treat to see these very different aircraft share the sky together.  It all comes from a group of people in New Zealand doing some amazing stuff building authentic World War I airplanes and engines.  Be sure to check out TheVintageAviator.co.nz website to learn more about their gorgeous work.