The Sopwith Hamble Baby Convert is waiting on FAA registration paperwork, then it can be inspected for its airworthiness certificate. Much like the Camel, there is a very long list of running improvements and detailing once flying. It is **nominally ** two seat for most folks, but two of me would be pretty tight -- similar dimensions to a Luscombe. Here you can see her with the Lewis gun provisionally mounted. If anyone is interested, it would not take much to get me to sell/trade her to a good home. She is designed to be exceptionally easy to fly and land, if a bit leisurely. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Cyprus is a pretty long ferry flight from Texas at 70 mph. Hadn't really thought about a price - will entertain offers I guess. Thanks!
Friend is in Livermore, CA. It would be a hoot o buzz his vineyards with it. I wil point him to this thread. We could always put a mid-air refueling system on it.
Boy, I wish I was about 35 years younger and a lot richer because I would love to have that Baby. That would a lot of fun hopping around the countryside and giving rides. Great job, Russ, and a good way to revive some aviation history.
To break up the build and detaling threads, here is a Camel flying report thread. First of all, the correction some time ago to the mis-installed interplane strut corrected ALL left wing heaviness. Much, much nicer to fly. The aileron response with the new bellcrank and 3/8" droop is pretty good too - MUCH more positive, and less of an increase in force than I anticipated. Not sure if it was the wx, but she seems a bit faster today -- perhaps removing all of that unneccesary wing twist, but not sure. Much lower throttle setting to indicate 90 mph, perhaps even 1/2 throttle. I think it will cruise in high 90s or 100 mph IAS if I left the power in (75%), but I am holding some pretty forward stick. In fact, I was remembering that original Camels needed forward stick at lower altitudes and higher speed. All that said, she (or is it just me?) feels "happier" in the mid 80s mph IAS with a comfortable mid position stick at like 2000 feet. The airwork was better than she has ever flown. Now the challenges: She is still a huge PITA on ground operations on pavement. Can't see for crap in front on crowded ramps and the idle/low end throttle control is poor, which means taxi too fast or too slow (or stop). This engine/prop arrangement puts out a good amount of thrust pretty quick it seems, even at very low power, and the TBI is proving difficult to modulate smoothly at idle/taxi power settings on pavement. I am going to see if I can tweak the idle adjustment better. This airplane takes more concentration on the ground than in the air - once airborne, everything is easy! Landing on grass is still easier than a Champ, and the grass field combined with bungees give it a very soft arrival. Waft to just above the ground at 65 - 70 with min power, bring the nose up,close power, hold the stick full back and that's it! On the grass she tracks straight and is very controllable.
Yes - it's in annual and getting the prop AD as we speak ($$$$). There are two guys from Houston looking at it to buy, so we will see. May be selling the Mondial as well in my rash of downsizing. Hope they will still let me stay on Ferrarichat.
you will always be welcomed with warm open arms! although Norwoods might not invite you to their VIP customer vacation in Bahamas anymore (that's a joke everyone!).
Thanks. Of course, I wonder what I could get to replace the dear Mondial? I know what I want, which like the Camel, is even more impractical than its predecessor. Wonder what the Argentinian exchange rate is? "It's just a small four cylinder convertable, dear....." Image Unavailable, Please Login
I hope that when I get called to that big AirShow in the sky that I can drive around in a Bugatti like that.
I'll drink to that! Most all the photos of that lovely little airplane are nice. It's amazing how the correct assembly of physical forces presents itself in a handsome iteration.
Thanks Bob. My friend Chip Burt also just finished and is flying his full size Sopwith Pup replica with the smaller 7 cylinder Rotec 110 hp radial. As you can see, it is RNAS marked, and in the original style, named his plane after his wife Judy. Smart man!!!!!!! Image Unavailable, Please Login
Now there's a sig line right there!...... So true though - "If it looks right, it probably is." Cheers, Ian
What does S I G mean? Maybe Self Involved Gobbledegook. I suppose that I could have uttered the old saw, " Form Follows Function" but I see a balance of shapes and and moment arms that are pleasing to the eye...mass coupled with arms (levers), areas coupled with lengths, etc. Look at the SPAD, SE-5, Camel, and the Fokker D-7. All beautiful expressions of good aerodynamics and correct answers to physical problems. All different answers but still viable and good to look at. That's why they still live and are still admired.
SIG = Signature... ...and the German Albatros D.III is my all-time candidate for beautiful WWI aircraft. Ahead of it's time.
+1 Absolutely! I'd add the Spitfire & Mosquito to that list. Maybe the P51. As you say, beautiful solutions to the problem. As Tcar noted, "signature line" - You've got to be "rossa subscribed" (or, I suspect a "consultant" ) to have one here..... Often "amusing" or "deep & meaningful" quotes are used...... Cheers, Ian
Thanks. I have a lot of fun being allowed to participate in the is forum. i try to earn my keep by passing on tidbits of information that are most useful at cocktail parties where no one listens to you anyway. Great bunch of interesting people here and it's almost devoid of politics and verbal wrestling matches. Darn good gang. Albatross, Spit, Mossy, are all good examples and the list could grow if one thought about it.
*Allowed!*".... You're not just allowed, but encouraged by all of us to participate! - No need for you of all people to "earn your keep". +1 Must be something to do with finding interest in aviation - Cool, level headed folks only. Even the F1 section gets "nasty" on occasion, and I've "blocked" P&R! FWIW, and maybe it's because I'm a Brit, another to add to the list is the Lancaster bomber from WWII - I always loved the dual tail. And four Merlins can't be beat! Cheers, Ian
WW2 Heavies= B-17F, Avro lancaster. Mediums/ Light =Mosquito FB, Martin B26, Douglas A-20. Fighters=Spitfire, P-40K, P-51D, FW190, Zero WW1 Fighters SE5, Camel, Neu. 28, Pup, Fok D7 I saw the canadian Lancaster at Abbotsford in 1990 and they made several low passes with it. Nothing like 4 Merlins in perfect sync and full song.
Quantum leap to another war... was presuming we were talking WWI only. (Yes, I know that many feel that WWI and WWII were actually the same war - at least in Europe.)
