Building a replica 2-seater...

Lufbery · 1 December 2003, 09:50 AM

Hi all,

Like many who read this section of The Aerodrome's board, I dream of someday building a replica WWI plane and flying it.

The thing is, I'd like to share my flights with my wife and other members of my family, so I need to build a two-seater. The thing is, an authentic 2-seater replica would be pretty bug (depending on the plane) and would need ballast if I'm flying alone (since the real planes were flown from the front seat, not the back).

The best bet seems to be Graham Lee's 7/8 scale Nieuport 12 design. The thing is, the plans are geared toward an experienced builder, and I'm not one of those.

I knows there's a very active and helpful group of Nieuport builders 'cause I lurk on their mailing list, so I figure I could get the help if I need it.

I also know of a scaled down Jenny that can be built from plans, but from what I've read, it would have trouble taking me up, much less me and a passenger (I'm a relatively big guy).

So, does anyone know of other two-place WWI replica kits? I'm a few years away from even starting on the project, much less getting my pilot's license, but it's never too soon to start researching, right?

Regards,

1 December 2003, 10:28 AM

You could build a BE2c. Relatively small, extremely stable and the pilots seat is in the rear. Also some were equiped with american made OX-5 engnes so you might be able to find a historically acurate engine.

baldeagle · 1 December 2003, 02:07 PM

Drew,
MORANE-SAULNIER L! Simpler than a biplane, carries two people, you could simplify it with a steel tube fuselage, add ailerons, even use a flat-four Lycoming for power, and shoot down zepplins....
And the view from a parasol is fantastic.

Lufbery · 2 December 2003, 06:05 AM

BE,

That's a great idea, and it's a plane that's not seen too often. I assume a steel fuselage would need to be welded, right? Is that how you're doing your N-28?

Regards,

Brad · 2 December 2003, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lufbery@Dec 2 2003, 02:05 AM
[b] BE,

That's a great idea, and it's a plane that's not seen too often. I assume a steel fuselage would need to be welded, right? Is that how you're doing your N-28?

Regards,

I think I'd do aluminum angle or tube... Angle is easier to cut (no shaping of tube ends to conform, don't require gussets, and can be bolted together.

Keep in mind that this aircraft has "full flying" tail surfaces, so might be less stable to fly... and the surfaces must be stronger to begin with.

Are you looking for a German or Allied ship?

jumpinjan · 2 December 2003, 03:13 PM

Drew, I would seriously give another thought to Graham's N12. It doesn't get any simpler & easier building one of his designs. Aluminum tubing, sheet metal & rivets. Powerplants are not to much of an issue and as you mentioned, there is a cadre of experienced builders on the Yahoo Nieuport group. Here is an example of one builder's log (Butch Witlock) on the web:
http://members.tripod.com/WitlockD/nieuportsection.htm
Here is Graham's web site (for yourself or others that want to learn more)
http://nieuport.com (be advised that there is some kind of copyright protection applet running on his page. I couldn't even copy the URL for his web site, for heaven's sake!)
Jan

baldeagle · 2 December 2003, 09:32 PM

I like the Nieuports as well, obviously, but like different stuff even more. If you wonder about welding, sign up for a course at your local community college or tech school. When you build a fuselage, get it to the point where it's tack welded together and let an accomplished welder finish weld it for you. You get a M-S parasol fuselage tacked up and I'll finish weld it for you, if you let me fly it... and you have to bring it to Grimes. I'll tell you one thing, if you ever hit anything you'd rather be in a steel tube fuselage than an aluminum one.

Cigogne · 3 December 2003, 08:10 AM

I agree with Baldeagle... a Morane-Saulnier would be a great choice. The Type P (MoS 21 or MoS 26) would be the best choice over the older Type L. The streamlined fuselage and full circular cowling on the later MoS 26 would hide a non-authentic engine really well, but not spoil the look.

Cigogne

baldeagle · 3 December 2003, 08:54 AM

Didn't the Type P have ailerons? Though the L is the more famous type, and a little simpler without the formers and stringers.

Lufbery · 4 December 2003, 06:47 AM

All,

These are great ideas.

I'm definitely wanting an Allied plane. My dream plane is a Bristol Fighter, but I think that would be tough to build even if scaled down.

I've seen Bruce Witlock's web site on the construction of his N-12. In fact, there's even photographic proof on those pages (somewhere) that two relatively big guys can fit in an N-12 and have it take off.

Anyway, to broaden the topic a bit, it seems that there are more challenges to making a good replica two-seater than to making a single seater. Thoughts?

Regards,