DANGEROUS AIRPLANES

have been hooked on airplanes since the mid-1930s. I was in the U.S. Navy during World War II and worked as a jet engine designer (J85 and derivatives mostly, but also many others). I always enjoy ’s wide range of articles, including “The 10 Most Dangerous Airplanes Ever Built” [March], but I think the author overlooked the Sopwith Camel [above]. The many references available generally indicate that 413 Camel pilots died in combat while 318 were killed in noncombat-related accidents, most involving new pilots learning to fly the Camel. In addition, it has