Sopwith Baby Project

Joe Perkel · 28 December 2007, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drrivah

Joe-Image below from the web: a Heath Model V Parasol from ~ 1930s (?), with wheels attached to floats that look similar to your dwgs. Internal diagonals may follow LG for float wheel mod: are there wheels detailed in Sopwith float plans?
-pete

Pete,

Yes, there is a cradle very similar to this. At the moment, that drawing is buried in one of my tubes, I'll have to watch for it again.

Interestingly, I've recently become aware of Seaplanes using a one time "cradle launch" system, then drop the thing once positive rate is established. I think that may be a bit much though, will have to see.

Thanks for that photo!

Joe Perkel · 13 January 2008, 06:24 AM

Iv'e completed CAD work for stern profile changes from machine serial #8163 and beyond (1915).

CAD Page

Cannot confirm (pin down) precise reasoning for this particular change. I have a suspicion but, would like to test that with outside opinions.
Speculation is welcome and encouraged.

Thanks!

j ferguson · 13 January 2008, 06:58 AM

What CAD software are you using?

john

Joe Perkel · 13 January 2008, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j ferguson

What CAD software are you using?

john

Thanks John!

I'm using Rhino, Modeling tools for designers, specifically Rhino Marine and Flamingo is the renderer.

Additionally, I do color / photo enhancement in an inexpensive application called Roxio Photo Suite. Roxio PhotoSuite 8 - Photo Editing - Overview When I grow up,... I want the full version of Adobe Photoshop as it's the software of choice for Deep Space Photography, (another little interest). In the meantime, Roxio does the job quite nicely!

Thanks again.

joegertler · 13 January 2008, 11:22 AM

Hi Joe;
Here are two photos copied from originals in a private album. I don't know if you already have them, as they may have found their way into publications, over the years. In the first, it is interesting to see how large the cut-out for the top wing Lewis gun is.. and the second shows another oddity of the float gear collapsing toward the front. You would think that a sticky landing would collapse them toward the rear. Probably just a very hard landing. The first one is a Blackburn-built Baby on the Isle of Grain. The second is labelled, "Sopwith Baby,collapsed chassis, Dundee /16"

j ferguson · 13 January 2008, 11:46 AM

I would bet with all that wing area, you could get the speed down especially with some power on.

john

Joe Perkel · 13 January 2008, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joegertler

Hi Joe;
Here are two photos copied from originals in a private album. I don't know if you already have them, as they may have found their way into publications, over the years. In the first, it is interesting to see how large the cut-out for the top wing Lewis gun is.. and the second shows another oddity of the float gear collapsing toward the front. You would think that a sticky landing would collapse them toward the rear. Probably just a very hard landing. The first one is a Blackburn-built Baby on the Isle of Grain. The second is labelled, "Sopwith Baby,collapsed chassis, Dundee /16"

Hi Joe,

Thank you very much for those! I am quite certain that yes, I have seen the first cradle photo but, the second,...now that's interesting. Nice to see the reserve of buoyancy, doing it's thing!

Too bad the story is likely lost to time but, I think John may be right. The sea state doesn't look bad enough to do this. Would love to know what let go!

As for the cut-out. I've not forgotten Jim Bruton's statement once about "layers of authenticity." In the back of my mind, I am considering a small departure from authenticity in favor a fairly larger transparent section (ala strutter) in the interest of "see and avoid" safety.

Thanks again for the photos! Should you have anything regarding the tail float, that would be most helpful.

joegertler · 13 January 2008, 01:58 PM

Hi Joe;
The tail float has a little extension stick out and down from the rear bottom. Just like a skid.. Not really shown in these. But as to discussion of water rudders, It looks like a water rudder at the back of these tail floats.

drrivah · 13 January 2008, 04:57 PM

Joe and Joe:
Is that a small steerable water rudder aft of the rear tail float, linked to the
air rudder?

-pete

Joe Perkel · 13 January 2008, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drrivah

Joe and Joe:
Is that a small steerable water rudder aft of the rear tail float, linked to the
air rudder?

-pete

Pete,

Yes, it is a linked system. I am missing the details of the tail float assembly. Luckily not the case for the mains. What I do have for the tail float, is a scale lines drawing and a reference to 320 lbs buoyancy. With that and photos I hope to do the job.

That little spike has been of interest to me, I have to postulate that it's a skid as Joe suggests, like to protect against bottom strikes.