Scale-models hall of fame-Sir Sidney Camm.

**wonwinglo** · 07-11-2005

Whilst the Spitfire had all of the glory attached to it there was another equally good aircraft designed and built alongside it for the war effort,the machine was the Hawker Hurricane,designed by Sir Sidney Camm.
Camm was born in 1893 in Windsor. He developed an early interest in aviation and, when old enough, joined the Windsor Model Aeroplane Club where he excelled in building large A-frame pushers covered in oiled silk and powered with rubber motors. In 1912, he and others in the club, made a glider that could carry a man. Just a few years later, aircraft were used in world war one still crude machines but ones that were improving all the time.
In 1925, Camm joined the Hawker Company as a designer. Based at Kingston-on-Thames in Surrey during this time he designed a tiny biplane called the Cygnet that was entered in the Lypme aeroplane trials for low powered lightweight aircraft,this machine is now on display in the museum at R.A.F Hendon, the firm was to produce some of the most famous aircraft in world war two the Hurricane, Typhoon and Tempest being the most celebrated. In the early 1930’s, many still put their faith in biplanes but Camm became convinced that monoplanes were the future and he worked on this idea regardless of what others thought,he was well known for not suffering fools lightly and was a very hard worker.
Camm had a simple philosophy with regards to aircraft design. His first belief was to actually know what was required – to have an obvious target to aim for. He also believed that a design company had to work closely with its engine company so that the airframe and engine married together perfectly and there were no further problems. Camm also believed in keeping things simple in design and also not to stray outside of the knowledge or expertise that he and his team had. He believed that the best designs would always come from using the quality of his design team, and primarily himself, and that untried theories etc would take him away from this belief.
Those who worked with Camm remembered him as a driven man. He became Hawker's chief designer and gained a reputation for detail.The success of some of his aircraft is legendary, primarily the Hurricane that shot down more aircraft than any other in World War Two. The Typhoon had a devastating impact as a low-level attack aircraft flying at zero feet straffing German railway installations during daylight.

Hawker Typhoon

After the war, Hawker and Camm were deeply involved with the Hawker Hunter, and early versions of the Harrier jump-jet called the P.1127. Just before he died, Camm was also involved with work on the aircraft that was to become the Tornado which carried on with it the traditions of superb aircraft design started by Camm.

Unlike R.J.Mitchell Sydney Camm was knighted for his work in 1953. He died in March 1966.