Looking For Eduard 1/48 Sopwith Baby...

[greenknight]

Originally Posted by EricGoedkoop

Everyone - I've seen some contemporary drawings (maybe Flugsport?) of Schnieder / Tabloid types clearly identified as Sopwiths with a full-flying rudder, no fin, similar to an early Nieuport or Morane-Saulnier. I've never seen a photograph of a Sopwith Tabloid / Schneider / Baby with this setup. It looks a little goofy, to be honest, and I'm wondering if anyone has an explanation. Were some early Sopwiths built with that rudder, or was it a mistake in the drawings?

Here's an artist's depiction of an early land-based Tabloid with all-flying rudder:

http://www.ctie.monash.edu.au/hargra...d_card_500.jpg

It's not proof of course, but it does jog my memory a bit. I think the all flying rudder could have been found on the earliest land plane version.

The same site has more on the Tabloid, including photos of the floatplane Schneider Cup version which has a fixed fin.

Hope this helps.

[EricGoedkoop]

Originally Posted by jernst

Actually, my biggest problem with the Tabloid is how to balance and trim the plane so those front skids don't snap off everytime it hits the ground. Maybe make them from 1/16" sheet foam......

I hadn't thought about that yet - might be incentive to do the float version after all.

Eric - there might be an image in the WS mini-datafile, but I don't happen to have it with me at work. I'll check tonight, if no one else gets to it by then.

I do have a nice set of plans for the "Baby" at 13" span, or the "Blackburn Baby" at the same size.

I think the Blackburn was a contract version of the "Baby", but essentially the same plane.

LMK if you're interested.

john

Eric -

I got a chance to check the Mini Datafile on the Tabloid, and IMHO, it looks as if the very first Tabloid had what I would call an elongated Fokker style "comma" rudder. This was Harry Hawker's, sids by side version.

There's a drawing in the DF that indicates there is an 'alternate' tailplane to the simi-circular, or comma shaped tailplane. This is what is seen on all subsequent models...the extended fin.

Hope this helps.

I'd prefer not to scan and post. They are very particular about that.

john

[EricGoedkoop]

Thanks, GK and John. Was the side-by-side version produced with the fixed fin, then?

In a Mr. Potato Head fashion, I'd like my Tabloid to have the fixed fin, wheels (instead of floats), side-by-side seating and the big "Sopwith" written on the sides of the fuse. Is that kosher?

Eric-
the mini-data file has a picture of the same Tabloid that Hawker flew, with the fuselage frame exposed aft of the cockpit area. The fabric was removed allegedly to improve it's looping abilities.

My planes tend to do that anyway.....

john

[EricGoedkoop]

Originally Posted by jernst

My planes tend to do that anyway.....

Loop?

Or shed their skin?

sometimes both

john

[Intrepid]

Originally Posted by jernst

Is there much difference between the Sopwith Schnieder and the Sopwith Baby? I could build the Special Hobby "Schnieder" as a "Baby".....

Again, showing my lack of knowledge....

Thanks.

jernst:
JM Bruce wrote in "Sopwith Baby" Windsock Datafile 60 that in the offical Admiralty lists of naval aircraft Nos. 1436-1447, 1556-1579 and 3707-3806 are designated Sopwith Schneider (Cup). Those numbered 8118 -8217 and subsequently, the new name Baby is recorded.

In the serial ranges of 8118-8122 and the 8187-8217 they were known as "Baby Mono" (100-hp Monosoupape) and 8123-8186 as "Baby Clerget" (110-hp Clerget 9Z).

Bruce noted that the Baby aircraft listed as being powered by the 100-hp Monosoupape retained the original (Schneider) fore-and-aft engine installation with it's characteristic hooded cowl.

The Baby aircraft equipped with the 110-hp Clerget 9Z on an overhung mounting had the open-fronted cowling of an horseshoe form with it's lowest quadrant open.

This series(8118-8217) had ailerons,with the enlarged tailplane and fin. Bruce also writes that at least some of the 3707 - 3806 Schneiders had enlarged fin and tailplanes. He also notes that it is unsure if this was an retrospective in service modification.

The early tailplane and fin in the Special hobbies Schneider kit is undersized according to the Ian Stair plans in the Datafile. The later enlarged tailplane and enlarged fin with rudder match up well with the Stair plans.

Datafile 60 has much information on the Schneider, Baby, and Hamble Baby and is worth the investment.

also recommended:
" Bombing up Baby" - Harry Woodman (Windsock International Vol 11 No.2)
" Sopwith Baby" - Colin A Owers ( Windsock International Vol.5 No.2)