Sopwith Baby Project

Joe Perkel · 28 January 2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tengew

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

That would be a better idea, will remember that,..thank you!

ECramer · 28 January 2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Perkel

That would be a better idea, will remember that,..thank you!

Joe, I don't want to come off as alarmist, but you might contact your local BATFE office before duplicating any bombs. Believe it or not, it can sometimes be a violation to create a simulated explosive device. It would probably be better to check first, to make certain you're not in violation, than to have to defend it later. I know of a high school instructor who was briefly in trouble for making a simulated bomb for a high school play (fortunately, no charges were filed, but the simulated bomb had to be disposed of, and something like a red tennis ball sporting a fuse was substituted).

Joe Perkel · 28 January 2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECramer

Joe, I don't want to come off as alarmist, but you might contact your local BATFE office before duplicating any bombs. Believe it or not, it can sometimes be a violation to create a simulated explosive device. It would probably be better to check first, to make certain you're not in violation, than to have to defend it later. I know of a high school instructor who was briefly in trouble for making a simulated bomb for a high school play (fortunately, no charges were filed, but the simulated bomb had to be disposed of, and something like a red tennis ball sporting a fuse was substituted).

ECramer,

You know, I hadn't thought of that particular scenario. In this post 911 environment, I would not be at all surprised. Who is BATFE,...ATF maybe?

I have not been to an air show in years. Can anyone answer what would be my next question which would be is any one else carrying faux ordinance?? Any of the WWII replicas?? If not, than it's probably a good bet this may be bad news.

Thanks for the heads up, I will look into it. Sure would be a shame!

j ferguson · 28 January 2008, 12:41 PM

Remember Joe, the Baby will have a very small radar signature depending on what engine you select. The people who feel threatened by almost anything could seize your plane. careful, careful.

ECramer · 29 January 2008, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Perkel

ECramer,

You know, I hadn't thought of that particular scenario. In this post 911 environment, I would not be at all surprised. Who is BATFE,...ATF maybe?

I have not been to an air show in years. Can anyone answer what would be my next question which would be is any one else carrying faux ordinance?? Any of the WWII replicas?? If not, than it's probably a good bet this may be bad news.

Thanks for the heads up, I will look into it. Sure would be a shame!

Joe, a couple of years back the former Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF was on the back of their uniforms for years until some pro-gun writers started calling them "BATmen" and they changed to just ATF) was changed to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as part of the post 9/11 Homeland Security changes.

Joe Perkel · 29 January 2008, 06:44 AM

I took a quick cursory look into the issue to see what's out there,...found a few examples.

Here's a Skyraider "bristling" with "spines".....

Confederate Airforce over Padre Island Texas......

If there is some kind of a waiver to be had, I guess I'll get one.

Thanks!

tengew · 29 January 2008, 07:12 AM

Joe just me talkin
If you use blue paint instead of the green rings and ……..blue is the symbol for inert bombs and print inert on the bomb and weld the fuze props in place you should be ok
Check with the feds though

Joe Perkel · 29 January 2008, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tengew

Joe just me talkin
If you use blue paint instead of the green rings and ……..blue is the symbol for inert bombs and print inert on the bomb and weld the fuze props in place you should be ok
Check with the feds though

My "guess", is some rule precisely along these lines. I know Uncle Sams mind-set well. Been working for him a total of 18 years, (4) Navy, (14) Dept of Veterans Affairs,....and this "sounds" just like him.

Will check it out,....Thanks!

Nick · 29 January 2008, 06:29 PM

Hi Joe,
Shouldn’t imagine it would be too big a deal once the correct boxes get ticked. I have just imported 2 imitation Vickers Machine guns for my Snipe project. It took me 3 months to get the Police approval for Customs to let me import them. Lots of drawing of breath, gnashing of teeth and head shaking went on, all saying I’d never get approval. Anyway it eventually all went through and I now have them. It came down to using the word Imitation instead of Replica. Evidently they classed a replica as being able to fire it and an imitation as not.
A different set of rules in your part of the world, but there’s always a way. Bureaucrats are the same the world over!

Cheers, Nick

Joe Perkel · 1 February 2008, 08:51 AM

I have a question regarding trailing edge tubing.

The drawings I have many times need to be interpreted with a magnifying glass. As I am now working on the wing details, I've noted something curious on the drawings.

There is a reference to a "section AP" for the trailing edge and a handrawn figure but, no dimension detail other than 22 g. It is a strange looking oblong affair.

I was under the impression that most fabric biplane trailing edges were circular in section about 1/2" diameter. Something like this skybolt....

So my question is, why an oblong section -vs- a circular one? Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks