Sopwith F.1 Camel Replica project

[blurrkup]

Holy scha-moly, I did a double take on that one! Looky that ma, a Sopwith Tabloid, I can't believe it!! That's the first photo I have ever seen of one!!!

The only reason I know of it is because I built a stick and tissue rubber-powered flying model of one from a three-view in a magazine to meet Peanut Scale rules (13" span). Still have it on a shelf in my shop office. Same colors and everything! How cool to see that photo -- where is it located again?

The RAF Museum at Hendon in the Grahame-White Factory.

http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/coll ... abloid.cfm

[Dean]

Fantastic.....that is one neat project !.

Many years ago I was half way through building a Clutton FRED, but moved to Cyprus for 3 years so sold it onwards. When I moved back to the UK, I realised that I would never get my licence so having started one project and not being able to finish it, I am now building instead a full scale P-51D cockpit. Theres just something great about spending a weekend making something and eventually being able to mount it on your project and see it take yet another step nearer completion.

[snj5]

Video of initial test hops:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vymz-s48U0I

[snj5]

I flew myself the Sopwith for the first time todayafter all the upgrade mods, and now I am kicked back having a Woodchuck cider.
Without going into the intensely emotional aspect of it all, which was there, here are a few first impressions. As the sun began setting in the west on a calm Castroville evening, she powered up to 1700 prop rpm ( 2550 engine rpm on the Rotec R-3600) on runway 15 and tail came up in 50 feet, and the plane lifted off in what was described by observers as 200 feet. She looked to come off about 45 - 50 mph IAS, then rapidly accellerated to 80 IAS in the climb, which I did not push at all and seemed 600+ fpm. Much like flying accounts I have read of Camels, she was sensitive fore and aft, and a little heavy on the ailerons, but very little movement was needed for the gentle first flight maneuvering. She seemed a bit left wing heavy, but that could be almost anything from rig to torque to me not really expert on this rudder bar thingee - it will require some practice. The wing heaviness did vary a bit with rpm, so maybe it thinks it has a rotary.

I think she will be faster than I expected, at LESS than 1/2 throttle I was indicating over 80 mph at 1600 prop rpm. The prop is a Culver 90 x 48. Another interesting unexpected impression was that with the deep cockpit of the Camel, it was fairly comfortable and not very breezy as expected - and the engine was relatively quiet. In fact, the whole thing was quieter than the inside of a 100hp Champ at cruise, even being open cockpit. Oil temp was good, mid range on the tank sensor.

A side note is that the Clarity Aloft headset works FANTASTIC under a leather helmet in an open cockpit.

Landing was much easier than expected, she trundled in at 70 mph, cut the power over the end of the runway. The over the nose visibility on final was also surprisingly excellent (considering), but as moved to the 3pt attitude it became all peripheral cues. A little bump (I hit a bit tailwheel first I think) and she was down. Qnce going in one direction, she did not want to change that direction much, which may be to the camber/toe as previously discussed.

Many thanks as always to Robert and the Airdrome folks and Family of builders - and to so many folks here that helped make a dream come true.
Well, I'll think it's time for another cider, for tomorrow at dawn I go on patrol for the wiley Hun....

[The Inspector]

If you can, try raising the left aileron 1/2 turn at a time until the wing heavy goes away, I know it sounds counterintuitive but you want the airflow to make the aileron level out and raise the wing, that's how we took slight wing heavy out of CESSNAS @ RSTOL, big divergance required adjusting the eccentrics @ the wing root.

That is one heck of an accomplishment!!! and looks so period correct

[TAdan]

Congrats on taking your Camel up! Great write up and pictures of the flight.

[Pogo]

I just got back from a long weekend at Kingsbury and saw this -- wow, CONGRATS!!! Good heavens, I'm already daydreaming about you and Blake making the Fall Fly-In.

[RyanShort1]

Very, very cool Russ! It's been a long time coming!

Ryan

[snj5]

On my way (in my mind) to Ypres Salient ...



A couple of nice post flight photos on the ramp at KCVB. Am waiting for the wind to abate a bit and will fly this weekend. Al of the reading about the characteristics make one a bit wary, so I am progressing cautiously flying with only good weather and low favorable winds (difficult to do in Texas).



Some 'continuing upgrades' planned include better wheels and bungees, and fairings on the landing gear. Later I may gap seal the ailerons, as I am told it makes a bif difference as currently the ailerons are not balanced dynamically or by weight.



There really is something to this pure open cockpit Great War flying, and it is so surprisingly inexpensive compared to my previous T-6. Well, off to patrol the skies over San Antonio for the wiley Hun...

[Jiggersfromsphilly]

OUTDAMNSTANDING ! Thank you for the beautiful Camel !

[Obergrafeter]

Should have come to Hondo to protect us from the ravishing hordes of huns. Say that 3 times quickly.

[snj5]

Should have come to Hondo to protect us from the ravishing hordes of huns. Say that 3 times quickly.

Would that be like Marlene Dietrich?

I hope I can get over there soon. Is there grass there available to land on?

[snj5]

Well, she is a bit left wing heavy, so today tightened the left rear flying wires 1/2 turn, and loosened the left rear landing wire 1/2 turn. The very slightly rotates the wing around the front spar.

Based on a recent bulletin from Rotec, the torque curve on the Rotec radials is fairly flat between 70% and 80%, beginning at 2700 rpm engine (1800 prop). From previous flights at 50% throttle we are seeing about 1600 prop rpm and a bit above 80 mph IAS. I did not keep the power in due to the left wing heaviness, so brought it back to 1/2 throttle to keep the speed around 80 - 85 mph IAS where it felt comfortable.

On take off run the max take off rpm is about 1800 prop rpm, limited by the 90 x 48 cruise prop. So, should be able to bring power up to the 1800 prop rpm setting and just leave it there if we have lessened the left wing heaviness. I am hoping that will give me a near 90 mph cruise at 70% power.

OBTW, the original had a top speed of about 110mph and cruised 85 - 100mph.

Wind is supposed to finally die down around Tuesday, so will be out early Tues am to test.

[snj5]

Still left wing heavy after left rear wire adjustment. General consensus now is probably a combination of rig and torque, as it is most noticible at take off and climb and less so when the power is pulled back.

Plan is to make small opposite adjustment to other wing after ensuring ailerons are trimmed correctly.

Would like to point out that Rick Bennett recommended I just put a bend in the stick.

[Pogo]

I was going to suggest duct taping a good size wrench to one of struts on the other side. Hey, it worked on a certain triplane I know.