Camel build

The airplane is being built identically in every dimension to the original, down to the tires. I've been lucky enough to find some original 1916 - 1918 parts to add a little ambiance, and I'm still looking. As before, the engine prop and building methods are more modern to add safety and durability (e.g, using Ceconite instead of linen, steerable tailwheel, etc.). There are no permanent mounted avionics, and no trim.

List of original, all functional and working, 1916-1918 parts so far:

1. MkV Altimeter said to have come from a Sopwith Camel flown in WW1
2. Original compass used in Camels and SE5's.
3. Original Air Ministry ignition switches
4. 1916 RFC issue cockpit watch (very cool)
5. Today scored an original WW1 Aldis Bros. Telescopic gunsight
6. Original manufacturer's dataplate

Replica equipment, identical to original

1. Control stick, yoke and blip switch
2. Throttle quadrant
3. Rudder bar
4. Airspeed indicator
5. Tachometer
6. Pulsameter
7. Wicker pilot seat

Not really a museum piece, but should be a flying fun little plane.

 

That is an interesting thought all of us Ferrari guys have based on 0846 and other 're-creations'. Although we all know in our hearts that no matter how accurate, all of these cars and planes that did not substansially come from the factory with an unbroken trail are all replicas at any level of authenticity.
What I was told with airplanes, was that legally the data plate gives identity in type registered/certificated aircraft, which is why the WW2 guys make such a fuss. Apparantly, I'm told, WW1 planes pre-date all this legal mumbo-jumbo and there were no rules, i.e., the data plate is just another part.

Somewhat different on planes than on cars (Ferraris in particular) is that the identity of the plane is not tied up in the engine. The Camel alone had over 4 engines that it came with, and these were routinely interchanged. The airframe defines the plane, as opposed to
Ferraris where the engine block and frame must match.

This is the way I've always thought about cars. So to me, a rebuilt original Ferrari engine with new pistons, heads, etc, #xyz that was put in a new build chassis, even with original parts and #xyz data plate is just that - a replica of xyz with some of the original parts. Pretty cool, but not car xyz.

It's much akin to the story of a place that displayed an original ax belonging to George Washington. It's just that the handle had been replaced three times and the blade twice. Other than that, it's original!

 

Yes, exactly. To receive a standard categorization, one must have the original data plate, CAA type certificate and conform to the original TOs - which the wonderful Pemberton built plane all has and is registered on its original type certificate as a 1929 Boeing -- a good example of a certificated Boeing not built by the original manufacturer.

The challenge for WW1 aircraft is that the CAA did not come into being until 1926.

An example here would be the Rhinebeck Thomas Morris S4b, listed on it's FAA registration as built in 1918 with serial number 153 and toting the original LeRhone and still meeting original specification. But - no type certificate as the CAA didn't exist yet, so N74W is experimental with no type certificate. The alternative to type certificated is amateur, even though the Tommy Scout was a factory built plane bought by the US

Intersting contrast that the factory built original Thomas Morse is an Amateur experimental and the private individual built type 40 is a certificated Boeing!!!

OBTW - I think that is what Ferrari is doing with the Classiche program - 'selling' retroactive "type certificates" for early cars to 'certify' that it is a Ferrari!! And let's not even begin discussing Carroll Shelby's licensing...
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View over the hump shaping up; blocking in the carb heat for position, will use "knife handle" lever for final. Pulsameter will go on lower left hand side of the panel, plumbed to oil return line (low pressure). Next will mount inclinometer, compass card.
Since I fly a bit by reflex, I am considering putting a small traditional ball at the top of the instrument panel - especially as I get the feel of this short-coupled hoss. Will have to brush up on my mag compass flying since I've become such a GPS weakling.
Electrical system: 4 toggles, a light and a button. No permanent avionics.
22" wheels being made at Dayton on Robert's hubs to support more accurate 28 x 3 tires.
Thinking ahead a bit, it will be more accurate, including the more (and accurate) severe three-point ground angle. Should be an intersting landing roll-out and taxi.
Gun butts will have leather pads to protect my good looks.
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What a wonderful piece of history.
It would be interesting to see what the German certification rules are.

 

In keeping with the current discussion...

In my continuing support beyond reason of the British economy, I have purchased an original Ruston and Proctor (subcontractor to Sopwith) build data plate and will be going with license built Sopwith F.1 serial D1845, aircraft "C" of 208 Sqn.

 

It's why many of these full size WW1 replicas are Sport Pilot eligible = for folks like us!

 

This may be old news for most, but I have started using an on-line machine shop for a few weirdo parts. You can download a simple to use free CAD program from emachineshops.com which comes with a nice narrarated tutorial.
I was in business in about 30 minutes.

My first project was a replica tach face to specifically adapt the VDO tach Rotec owners are saddled with to the 5" unit that came on Camels and other British aircraft. The re-faced tachometer slides into the custom milled aluminum housing then a cap goes on the top, and it comes out looking very close like the original unit. Attached is a screen capture as I was working the main piece. The cap was worked separately. You can see the VDO unit slips and is tightened in the center hole with a new dial on top, then the cap and glass go on top. Then the whole kittenkaboodle will attach via six perimeter screws as the original.

This online shop should be good for instruments and stuff like this, and I will save several hundred dollars, almost a thousand, on this piece alone. My next project will probably be an aeroscreen bracket or Aldis sight mount.

Hope this helps some one

Russ
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Just secured an original and working Aldis Bros. (Birmingham, England) telescopic gunsight for a Sopwith Camel - the absolute state of the art in 1917.
It will mount between the two Vickers machine guns.
Here is a photo from today after it arrived in it's original wooden box.
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photos next week
tail feathers are covered. Will buy paint next.
rigging flying controls