Sopwith Baby Project

Joe Perkel · 23 January 2008, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobW

Joe,
that is interesting... the floats on the pensacola plane do look a lot like yours, and nothing like the ones in your example photo on the left.

It would be interesting to see the whole photo... maybe you have it posted on your website... I'll go look there.

Anyway... hey, what a great reason for a road trip to pensacola!

Rob

You guys are great thank you!

Looking over various construction methods with Johns input.

Tail float still an issue however, finished the CAD work on the main float yesterday but, still have to assign densities piece by piece for a W&B spreadsheet. I think I'll take a short break and do some wing structures for a change of pace.

Thanks so much for the leads guys, and yes...Pensacola is now a must road trip!

RobW · 23 January 2008, 10:00 PM

Joe, How about the windsock data files? I found an index of articles in both windsock and Cross and Cockade and Over the Front that maybe useful starting points... I'm sure that a few querys on the net could find copies of the ones no longer available from windsock.

Windsock Datafiles: WW1 AIRCRAFT

- J.M. Bruce, Sopwith Baby, Datafile #60 (Berkhamsted, Herts, UK: Albatros Publications Ltd.). 40 pp, 90 photographs. £7.50.

- Ansaldo Baby (Sopwith Baby) S.5072 Italian Air Service Windsock 5/2:24_26

- Ansaldo Baby (Sopwith Baby) S.5005 Italian Air Service Windsock 5/2:26 Colour profile in centre pages

- Fairey Hamble Baby (Sopwith Baby) N1320 Windsock 5/2:7 Colour profile in centre pages

- Fairey Hamble Baby (Sopwith Baby) N1453 RNAS Calshot Windsock 5/2:8

- Fairey Hamble Baby (Sopwith Baby) RNAS Windsock 11/2:10 Cowl_ engine and bomb detail

- Parnall Hamble Baby (Sopwith Baby) N1197 RNAS Dundee Windsock 5/2:8

- Sopwith Baby RNAS Windsock 10/3:8 In flight firing Le Prieur rockets

- Sopwith Baby 8168 RNAS Grain Windsock 11/2:9

- Sopwith Baby Windsock 11/2:12 In German hands and markings

- Sopwith Baby D.21 French Marine Air Servie Windsock 13/1:6

- Sopwith Baby Norwegian Air Service Windsock 13/1:8 On wheels

- Sopwith Baby F.104 Norwegian Air Service Norwegian Stripes Windsock 13/1:8 On skis

- Sopwith Baby F.104 Norwegian Air Service Norwegian Stripes Windsock 13/1:8 On floats

- Sopwith Baby F.114.III Norwegian Air Service Norwegian Stripes Windsock 13/1:8

- Sopwith Baby Norwegian Air Service Windsock 13/2:9 Norwegian buoilt

- Sopwith Baby F.102 Norwegian Air Service Windsock 13/2:9 Side-by-side trainer

- Sopwith Baby F.112.III Norwegian Air Service Windsock 13/2:9

- Sopwith Baby (Blackburn Baby) N1440 Windsock 5/2:24 In post-revolutionary Russia

- Sopwith Baby (Blackburn-built) N2113 RNAS Windsock 11/2:11

- Sopwith Baby (Blackburn-built) RNAS Grain Windsock 11/2:13 Le Prieur rockets

- Sopwith Baby (Blackburn-built) Norwegian Air Service Norwegian stripes Windsock 13/1:8

- Sopwith Baby_ Blackburn-built N2118 RNAS Windsock 11/2:9

Cross & Cockade
- Fairey Hamble Baby (Sopwith Baby) N1453 RNAS Calshot C&C(GB) 1/4:65 ÔSynchronizedÕ Lewis gun

- Sopwith Baby 8165 Plain C&C(INT) 19/2:122

- Sopwith Baby 8167 F/L H F Fowler HMS Vindex C&C(INT) 25/2:58 MayÕ16

- Sopwith Baby 8128 F/L F J Rutland HMS Engadine C&C(INT) 25/2:59 MayÕ16

- Sopwith Baby 8182 C&C(GB) 7/1:6 broken pontoon strut

- Sopwith Baby (Blackburn Baby) N2071 Checkered nose_ K C&C(GB) 4/2:RC

Over the Front
- Sopwith Baby HMS Ark Royal OTF 9/1:14 Frontal view with wings removed

- Fairey Hamble Baby (Sopwith Baby) N1970 RNAS Calshot OTF 9/2:126

RobW · 24 January 2008, 02:43 AM

Joe,
more info...

Here is something from a scale modeler site... a possible contact in Norway:

"I would like to thank the many members of the WWI Modeling List for their advice, tips and for patiently answering my many questions. Individual list members also provided me with copies of reference material. Knut Erik provided construction drawings of the Baby being restored in Norway."

Here is the link to the website I got it from:
Eduard 1/48 Sopwith Baby

World War I Modeling Page

Joe Perkel · 24 January 2008, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobW

Joe, How about the windsock data files? I found an index of articles in both windsock and Cross and Cockade and Over the Front that maybe useful starting points... I'm sure that a few querys on the net could find copies of the ones no longer available from windsock.

Windsock Datafiles: WW1 AIRCRAFT

Rob,

Fabulous stuff,...thank you!

I have Bruce's datafile #60 for the baby, (a fine reference), and I even have the mini files for the Tabloid, Lewis gun and Vickers. But, I had no idea all this other stuff exists!

- Sopwith Baby F.102 Norwegian Air Service Windsock 13/2:9 Side-by-side trainer

The above a/c, I have a photo of on my homepage and is an inspiration for a two seater. But how do I find this and how do you decipher 13/2:9 ???

I must admit to not being too familiar with Cross & Cockade, in fact I'm a bit behind the curve on things WWI in general. I took a quick peek at this list on CC and they even have a downloadable version in .xls format but, I am unsure as to how to obtain copies of either the publications or the referenced photographs?

The model is really something isn't it! I saw that some time ago and decided to go with that paint scheme and weapons configuration. The two seater and leaving "Binky" out will be a little departure from authenticity I can live with. Also, I want the "Sopwith" "Kingston on Thames" tail feathers that you see on a Camel or Pup as opposed to a "Blackburn" Baby. (As tempting as paying homage to Lennon's "A Day in The Life" lyrics might be!)

I've tried to contact the Norwegian builders without success, I'm hoping they will find me.

Thanks so much Rob!!

RobW · 24 January 2008, 06:41 AM

I would do three things... I gave you a link to the Windsock folks (the WW1 AIRCRAFT... they have a listing of datafiles available for purchase... That is a good starting point...

but some are no longer available... so... after contacting the windsock folks and making sure that they are no longer available... then I'd post a note on the Aircraft thread asking if anyone has the files (or C&C articles) you are looking for... you may want to post a similiar note in the models forum since they are the dudes that use them the most.

Lastly I'd go to that modeling list I gave and post the windsock files that you want there too...

There are guys on this list who keep librarys of this stuff so I don't think you'll have much trouble tracking them down.

Oh, and I'm not too sure how to decipher the 13/2:9... I think that refers to the volume and specific issue number, but I'm not positive.

Joe Perkel · 24 January 2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobW

I would do three things... I gave you a link to the Windsock folks (the WW1 AIRCRAFT... they have a listing of datafiles available for purchase... That is a good starting point...

but some are no longer available... so... after contacting the windsock folks and making sure that they are no longer available... then I'd post a note on the Aircraft thread asking if anyone has the files (or C&C articles) you are looking for... you may want to post a similiar note in the models forum since they are the dudes that use them the most.

Lastly I'd go to that modeling list I gave and post the windsock files that you want there too...

There are guys on this list who keep librarys of this stuff so I don't think you'll have much trouble tracking them down.

Oh, and I'm not too sure how to decipher the 13/2:9... I think that refers to the volume and specific issue number, but I'm not positive.

Rob,

I am in the process of implementing these suggestions. Have fired off an email to Windsock and will post to the modelers list you referenced and elsewhere on this Aerodrome site. I have a tendency to limit my participation in forum activity to one forum at a time in order not to spend too much time typing but, these are valuable and well thought suggestions.

Thanks!

RobW · 24 January 2008, 01:47 PM

Joe,
see the journals for sale post in the books and magazines thread... you may want to query Dan-San as to if the issues you need are contained within that sale...

Joe Perkel · 24 January 2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobW

Joe,
see the journals for sale post in the books and magazines thread... you may want to query Dan-San as to if the issues you need are contained within that sale...

Rob,

Firing off emails as suggested, Dan San and Windsock included. Youv'e given me another idea for information gathering so I will include a "Wish List" on my web-site for hard to find / needed items.

As I put this together in CAD, it's completeness (the project), or lack thereof,..will determine a trip for source drawings. Perhaps even Great Britain. Nice excuse for a European trip and my wife wants to go anyway!

Thanks a lot!

Joe Perkel · 27 January 2008, 09:29 PM

Took a little break from structures to do some armament. I want to thank again Buz Pezold, for providing me with the drawings and info needed to reproduce the Baby's 65 lb bomb. I have the option historically, for either a single or two of these.

My thoughts for construction would be sheet metal with an FRP nose cone, all solidly fixed and appropriately braced. Fuse vanes would be fixed. Should actually not be too hard to do.

tengew · 28 January 2008, 06:16 AM

looks like you could make the tail with a cone and have the nose spun and just weld the two parts togeather