Artist/Maker/Manufacturer/Founder: Sopwith Aviation Company
Other owner: Barker, V.C., D.S.O.*, M.C.**
Material/Medium/Support: Aluminum, colour black, model name Sopwith Snipe.
Earliest Production Date and Latest Production Date: 1918/01/01, 1914-1919 First World War; First introduced in 1918.
Dimension (H x W x D in centimeters): Length 583.0; Height 142.0; Width 132.0; Weight 136.0. From nose to tail it is 19 feet 5 inches.
Accession#: 19390001-021
Institution Name: CMCC
Copyright: CMCC
Description
This aircraft was flown by Lieutenant-Colonel William George “Billy” Barker, one of the First World War’s most successful fighter pilots, and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the British Empire’s highest award for bravery
On October 27, 1918, Barker while flying alone in his Sopwith Snipe engaged several large formations of German aircraft and destroyed four enemy planes. Although wounded in both legs and the left elbow, he piloted his heavily damaged aircraft to an emergency landing in a field behind Allied lines. This is the fuselage from Barker’s aircraft, shipped to Canada in 1919 as an official war trophy. Barker is credited with the destruction of 50 enemy aircraft and balloons during the war, the third-highest total for any Canadian flier.
Rob Coles
LEGENDARY FIGHTER PILOT WILLIAM ‘BILLY’ BARKER
Rob Coles,
M.A. Art History, Concordia University
The Canadian War Museum collection includes the remains of William ‘Billy’ Barker’s Sopwith Snipe, one of …
This essay was written by an M.A. student in a Museum Practice seminar in the Department of Art History, Faculty of Fine Arts, Concordia University. The seminar was taught by Dr. Loren Lerner with the assistance of Dina Vescio, a M.A. graduate of the program.
Cible
Andreanne Michon,
2009. Digital photograph. 170.2 x 256.5cm.
Andreanne Michon has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia University, with a major in photography…
This artwork, inspired by the national treasure, was created by a student artist in the Department of Studio Arts (Photography) under the supervision of Marisa Portolese, Assistant Professor in Studio Arts (Photography), Faculty of Fine Arts, Concordia University.
