F-AZZC was the French registration for my first Sopwith Camel, B6413. I started the build in 2008. On 27th May 2015 we passed a significant milestone – the first inspection and classification by OSAC, the French civil aviation authority. September 2017 leClerget engine ground runs in the Camel included bloc-tube and fuel setting checks and switching between pressure and gravity tanks. The OSAC inspector was present on one run. DGAC authorised the test flight. On 24th September conditions were perfect and all went well until around 150 feet when the engine cut. The arrival back on the runway wasn’t pretty. I am OK but the Camel less so. So sad! But the aircraft flew and will live on in the Pima Air and Space Museum. They have started restoration for static exhibition. The original engine is being restored, possibly for F-AZZB and some parts were recovered to go directly onto my second Camel.
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