Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to restore the Pacific Coast Air Museum's (PCAM) 2/3-scale, World War One Sopwith Camel, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this important project.

 

Founded in 1989, the Pacific Coast Air Museum in Santa Rosa, CA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and inspire both young and old about our aviation heritage and aerospace technology, and to preserve historic aircraft and artifacts.

 

In 2017, PCAM acquired a 2/3-scale replica Sopwith Camel, originally built in 2007 for the Sonoma County Fairgrounds by Santa Rosa, CA-based master model builder Tim Haworth. The Camel was executed to a very high standard of accuracy and scale by Tim and his team working from detailed construction plans, and painted to represent the Sopwith Camel flown by Canadian Capt. Roy Brown, initially credited by the RAF with shooting down German ace Manfred von Richthofen, also known as the "Red Baron," on April 21, 1918.

 

Tim and his team also constructed a 2/3-scale all-red Fokker Triplane as flown by the Red Baron at the time of his death, and displayed with the Sopwith Camel at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in 2007.

 

While the Sopwith Camel has been stored in PCAM's open-air Butler Hanger, its condition has declined over the years, with damage to the fuselage and wings clearly evident. Restoration and reassembly of PCAM's Sopwith Camel will generally follow the 2007 construction schedule with detailed assessment of required work and materials as the project progresses.

 

In addition to restoring PCAM's Sopwith Camel to its former glory, this project will facilitate reuniting the Camel with its arch rival, the all-red Fokker Triplane flown by the Red Baron built by Tim Haworth in 2007 and currently held in storage at the Sonoma County Airport (KSTS).

 

April 21, 2023 will mark the 105th anniversary of the day German pilot Manfred von Richthofen, the highest scoring ace of World War One with 80 confirmed aerial victories, was shot down over the Western Front in France. We hope to publically reunite PCAM's fully restored 2/3-scale Sopwith Camel with the Red Baron's 2/3-scale Fokker Dr.I Triplane on this historic occasion, along with a number of replica World War One aircraft locally available, including a partially restored Garland Lincoln French Nieuport 28, a 7/8-scale British S.E.5a fighter, and a full-size and airworthy 1916 Sopwith Pup.

 

The root beer will be on me!