Sopwith Dolphin

JohnFitz · 15 May 2004, 06:44 PM

Pictures in the Windsock Data file show access holes in the top of the cowl/hood. They were obviously used to access something that needed to be adjusted on the Hispano-Suiza. Can anyone tell me what was being adjusted? I notice the same holes on other aircraft using the Hispano-Suiza. Thanks in advance for your consideration.

AAC Cadet Leader · 15 May 2004, 07:29 PM

Uh, is that where they poured in the castor oil??

wolfenbill · 16 May 2004, 12:18 AM

JohnFitz, post a picture showing the area you have in question. Perhaps I can be of assistance.

JohnFitz · 16 May 2004, 04:16 AM

Cadet Leader,

Looking at pictures of the engine there are two (one at each end of the manifold) valves? I don't know how else to describe them. This is what the holes give access to. They are on both sides of the engine. Wolfenbill, I will try to get a picture posted but do you have any idea what it is I am trying to describe here? Thanks for your help.

SteveS · 16 May 2004, 06:31 AM

Although they might have been used for some kind of adjustments, the holes look kinda tight to get your hand inside and work blind. I would say that they were for ventilation purpose. Maybe prevent any gases and heat from building up around the engine and ammo boxes. The front hole looks too close to the engine to be of any use. ?

Lets see if this pix comes up.

Salute,
Steve

AAC Cadet Leader · 16 May 2004, 06:36 AM

Well, I dunno, but it certainly doesn't look like there's much air cooling happening in the front.

Hey, if it turns out to be the castor oil pour-in ports, do I win a prize??

R Pope · 16 May 2004, 08:37 AM

They look like access holes for priming cups. Many engines of the time had them.

Craig · 16 May 2004, 09:58 AM

Interestingly, they used side-mounted radiators, which the Germans banned in 1916.

R Pope · 16 May 2004, 10:16 AM

Found my photo's of Hisso engine. There are priming cups in the same location as the holes in the Dolphin hood.

mossie · 16 May 2004, 12:41 PM

There are four water drain vales in the same location, if you look closely at the image the forward hole has a lever protruding from it, this is the water drain cock. For the measurements, they are 17.25 inhces apart, fore and aft. and 18 inches across, measured centre to centre.

The rear one may also give access to the MG synco point, but the hole does seem a bit small for a hand.

That is deduced from the HS engine drawings.