Sopwith Baby landplane replica

[snj5]

As some of you know, I built a full size Sopwith F.1 Camel replica last year. This year, I wanted to have a simpler inexpensive two seat plane that was a bit less demanding to do, and that I could later put on floats. I started out with a full size Sopwith Tabloid, but later was swayed by the small Rotec radial engine as a power choice and went with a 1915 Sopwith Baby full size replica. Did a bit of research and got an incomplete set on plans. I did change the airfoil to make it easier to handle as I get older. Like the Camel, it does have a mix of original and replica instruments and accesories. We rolled it out this week. Still a lot to do - wiring, plumbing, putting on the birchwood turtledeck and replacing the aluminum skids with the original ash, and lots of other details.
While certainly not a museum replica, it is full size, accurate in dimensions and cockpit, and should be safe fun for the pilot and a close friend (it is side-by-side).

Hope to be flying in a couple of months.

[Obergrafeter]

darn Russ what have you been doing?? Going crazy with the WWI stuff!! Gotta come see you one of these days.

[snj5]

I am finding the WW1 stuff just as much fun as the WW2 stuff but MUCH more in line with my budget.

These flying machines are a hoot, LSA rules, and the history is amazing. Here is a cockpit glimpse with some of the original instruments:



And here is a photo of the 1918 Sopwith F.1 Camel, 208 Sqn., I am flying now, if you missed it:

[Kyleb]

What are you doing for wheels for these replicas? Finding wheels that look the part, yet take a reasonable side load without breaking or rolling the tire off the rim has been a long standing issue...

[carlisle1926]

Beautiful work! Outstanding!

[RyanShort1]

That's a beauty Russ! Looking forward to seeing that Camel in the air sometime.

Ryan

[Dave Hadfield]

Wonderful!!!

Are you doing anything with a rotary?

Do you have a website?

Dave

[snj5]

What are you doing for wheels for these replicas? Finding wheels that look the part, yet take a reasonable side load without breaking or rolling the tire off the rim has been a long standing issue...

I am using 28 x 3 Firestone antique clincher smooth tread tires on custom 22" clincher rims by Dayton wire wheel. Pretty close to the original.

[snj5]

Thanks everyone.
Flew the Camel an hour or so this morning to keep re-tweaking the rigging. May try to fly to Cannon this week.
Can't afford a rotary yet, but maybe someday! No website, but post a bit on The Aerodrome forum and the Airdrome Aeroplanes Yahoo group.
Their website is www.airdromeaeroplanes.com

[Pat]

Russ, is the Camel built from an Airdrome Aeroplanes kit? It's beautiful...

[snj5]

Russ, is the Camel built from an Airdrome Aeroplanes kit? It's beautiful...

Thanks!
Yes, my airplane was the prototype for the kit

russ

[StangStung]

Wow. Just joking around on the Camel thread about you starting another project and...seems you already finsihed one! Very nice!

[snj5]

Thanks - we actually have quite a ways to go to be honest.
The devil is in the details, for sure.

[snj5]

Finished wiring and plumbing Thursday.
Rolled her out into the 103 degree Mizzou heat at Roberts and started her up. The Rotec started instantly, and after some fettling with fuel pressures, gave a static rpm with an 80 x 45 prop of 3300 engine (2200 prop) rpm with a measured thrust pull of 430 pounds. this basically duplicates what I have seen R-2800s do before, so all is good.

She is right now being packed up to go to OSH for next week, and will be at the Rotec display area with Robert and Paul. Still have a bit of detailing and fettling to do, but you can see the basic set-up and size. I cannot be at OSH this year, but go say Hi. I think this plane will be a hoot.

Should be flying in a month or so.

As always, thanks to Robert and the whole Airdrome Team for their support and terrific help.

[snj5]

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/photos/p ... 916f35a708

The Sopwith Baby was featured in on-line Aviation Week!