Sopwith Baby Project

snj5 · 9 May 2012, 04:16 PM

Differences between the Airdrome Sopwith Tabloid, Schneider and Baby prototypes.

The biggest difference between the Airdrome Baby and the Tabloid/Schneider is the engine. Rob&Shelly's Tabloid and Blake&Sandy's Schneider are both powered by the big Valley redrive VW. The Sopwith Baby has a Rotec 110hp R-2800. Although all are two seat side-by-side, each has a different control system (although interchangeable based on the builder's desires. The Tabloid has dual sticks and dual rudder bars (!), while the Schneider has a single central stick and dual pedals. In my continuing effort to keep Robert exasperated, the Baby will have left sided controls, with a rudder bar and a control column mounted wheel as the original (Robert's first wheel controlled aircraft). The wings and airframes are otherwise virtually identical, except in details (instrument panel, etc). Blake&Sandy's Schneider is remarkable to me for it's dual sided throttles and dual sided individual brakes. Rob&Shelly's plane is probably the prettiest for the color and cowl work.

snj5 · 31 May 2012, 04:27 AM

At the hop this week and the Baby convert is undergoing a lot of changes from the original plan, but becoming more like the original 70+ Parnall Converts.
Anyone have a Hamble Baby data plate from Parnall ?

snj5 · 2 June 2012, 04:13 AM

DAR coming out this morning.
Yikes!

RobW · 2 June 2012, 04:15 AM

You'll be pleasantly suprised with Neal.

rob

snj5 · 2 June 2012, 07:49 AM

The paper work now weighs as much as the plane.

Passed inspection !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Avro Avian · 2 June 2012, 08:18 AM

Excellent! When do you plan to commit aviation?

snj5 · 2 June 2012, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avro Avian

Excellent! When do you plan to commit aviation?

Need to get it to the test field or Gardner - looking for a place to keep it.

RobW · 2 June 2012, 09:26 AM

Congratulations! Can't wait to see some photos.

Rob

snj5 · 2 June 2012, 12:58 PM

The Airdrome Sopwith Baby passed and was granted its airworthiness certificate today!

Historically, the last 70 Parnall-built Sopwith Babies were built as landplanes, and known as Hamble Baby Converts. Although a few were deployed forward, most were used as trainers. This Airdrome replica takes advantage of the base Tabloid aircraft wide fuselage to give an a WW1 scout that is very comfortable plane for larger modern pilots

N8184 is marked as a 1917 operational Naval aircraft. The engine is a 110 Rotec with a Culver climb prop. Interestingly, the Airdrome plane replicates the original wheel aileron control and has several original and reproduction cockpit fittings.

More soon!

Thanks to so many folks that made this possible!

snj5 · 2 June 2012, 01:06 PM

Cockpit - note wheel, original altimeter and compass, replica Tampier quadrant and ASI.