Airdrome Aeroplanes Sopwith Tabloid

[RobW]

On June 23, our Airdrome Aeroplanes Sopwith Tabloid made its first flight.

This is a two seat (side by side) replica of the aircraft that made Sopwith famous. Our plane is painted to represent a RNAS SS3 variant from 1915.

Harvey Cleveland graciously did the honors.













We plan to use this aircraft as a transition aircraft for folks moving into other WWI style replicas.

rob waring & shelly wells

[The Inspector]

Power? performance numbers i.e. cruise speed, take off / landing distance, handling? it looks beautiful! I love the craftmanship that goes into an early design reproduction

[RobW]

Power? performance numbers i.e. cruise speed, take off / landing distance, handling? it looks beautiful! I love the craftmanship that goes into an early design reproduction

It is powered by a Valley Engineering 2332cc VW engine with a 2.47:1 reduction drive swinging a 90" X 66" Culver propeller (the original was 92"). It weighs 791 pounds empty and should have a gross weight around 1320 pounds.

Wingspan is 26'. Two seats, side by side.

We don't want to make any difinitive claims on speed other than it should perform similar to the original. The Video of the first flight gives you a good idea of takeoff performance.

http://youtu.be/lgRqBZIdhw4

Here is an ad from the original describing its performance.

[The Inspector]

It looks like a ball to fly! Interesting choice using the VW engine, keep us up to speed on how this pregresses. THANX

[RobW]

It looks like a ball to fly! Interesting choice using the VW engine, keep us up to speed on how this pregresses. THANX

It is! It is light on the controls... but not too light. It is very responsive and jumps off the ground when you add power.

Rob

[RobW]

Here is a video of the first flight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgRqBZId ... tube_gdata

[RobW]

And here is a video of us getting in and out... it is a snug fit!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLGtuft9Z8M&feature=youtube_gdata

Last edited by RobW on Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:44 am, edited 1 time in total.

[The Inspector]

WONDERFUL STUFF!! THANX

[1bdvet]

Thanks!