looking for Snipes

snipe · 6 December 2005, 12:21 PM

Greetings, all.

After lurking for a bit, I have come out and decided to post my question. Apologies if this has been covered already, I could find no definitive answers in the archives or on the Internet via google.

Here it is: does anyone know of a flying replica Sopwith Snipe, or any on-going projects to build one?

Ross_Moorhouse · 6 December 2005, 02:20 PM

This may be out of date now but the Canadian National Aviation Museum had one some time back.

franzkait · 6 December 2005, 02:21 PM

a company in England is building 4 snipes, one company in England and one in Germany is building the Br2 engines

baldeagle · 6 December 2005, 05:15 PM

Museum of Flight, Seattle:

http://www.museumofflight.org/Collec...7-349BFDC6B50B

This was a great flying Snipe replica during the early '80s at Old Rhinebeck, I saw it fly many times before it was sold to Doug Champlin and then to Seattle.

greatwarpilot · 6 December 2005, 09:00 PM

Baldeagle,

Do you have any comments on how well suited the continental 220 was to the Snipe? I've never heard any discussion on replicas of this type so I've be interested in hearing any thoughts you have on the subject.

Edward

Brad · 6 December 2005, 09:12 PM

You know, some of the guys and I could take you snipe hunting if you like...

baldeagle · 6 December 2005, 10:16 PM

The 220 was a great match for the Snipe, it was fast, and climbed like the proverbial homesick angel (from watching it, I never flew it). I wouldn't have wanted to go against it in a Fokker D.VII. That airplane actually has a 240 hp tank version, but 20 hp shouldn't make much difference. The Great War Flying Museum definately needs one, in Barker's markings......

greatwarpilot · 7 December 2005, 05:43 AM

Thanks Andrew.

Funny that its the tank version since we have a built up W6709A sitting around as a spare or for a future project. Good to know it would be suited to a Snipe replica.

Doesn't the 670 have the problem of having a diameter thats a few inches too big? Our N28's cowl is a tad off due to being continental powered, and thats why we went with the M14 in the Camel - to give it the right cowl size.

Agreed that doing Barker's snipe would be most appropriate. Perhaps down the road. At least in the mean time when the Camel is completed we'll have it in Barkers 28 Sqn colours

Cheers

Edward

baldeagle · 7 December 2005, 07:47 AM

I don't think that Dick Day had to alter the cowling size at all, I think the 230 Bentley is a larger diameter than the other rotaries. Somebody here on the forum should know the comparative dimensions. Anyone?

Replicraft has Snipe plans: http://www.replicraft.us.fm/pricelist.html

vongrube · 7 December 2005, 09:14 AM

Has anyone here actually seen the plans that Replicraft offers? At only eight sheets for the Snipe I doubt they are anything more than detailed 3D drawings. As an example..the Fokker Triplane plans Ron Sands offered numbered around 36 sheets.
Although I AM really interested in the aircraft possibly for my next project after my triplane is finished.