Replica / Restoration Poll (attempt #2)

RobW · 7 January 2008, 12:30 PM

A little over a year ago I polled the members of this forum to find out a little about the projects folks were working on or starting to work on. I had a great response with 68 completed surveys.

We've had a lot of people come and go in the last year, and I'd like to get an update to see how things are going.

Last year I didn't think to ask about completed projects... so this year I'd like to include them too.

In the spirit of getting a good idea about what is being built, I'd like you to share the details of the projects you are working on. I've made a format below that you can copy and paste into your post to help all of us know what it is you are working on.

The details I'd like to see are:
1. Builder Name (real or aerodrome name)
2. Aircraft type (i.e. Nieuport 11)
3. Scale (full scale, 7/8, etc...)
4. Plans or kit or real (Replicraft, Redfern, Sands, Graham Lee, Baslee, etc...)
5. Location (City, State, Country)
6. Status (% complete... i.e. %75, or %95 and flying)
7. Registration Number (if you have one)
8. Web page (if the project is recorded online outside
of the Aerodrome)

All of those details are purely optional, but I would appreciate if you could share them with us. Feel free to share words of wisdom regarding what you have learned from your project.

If you know of a project being built by someone not participating in the Aerodrome forum... by all means add them.

As a side note -- I just completed a scrub of the FAA registration Database and found about 530 WWI replicas and original aircraft. This is one reason I'm asking for an N-number, to match the aircraft up with the database and figure out which ones are live. One discovery during this research was that it is amazing how many different ways people find to name a Dr.I.

Thank you for participating in my survey.

AAC Cadet Leader · 7 January 2008, 01:11 PM

i'd check a box if you had one that said...

not an aeroplane builder, but like watching the process

greatwarpilot · 7 January 2008, 01:21 PM

Rob,

Your poll seems to be aimed at individuals building their own aircraft. Would you also like to include those being built/operated by a group or museum? If so, how would you like those handled according to the rubric you have laid out?

Sincerely,

Edward Soye

RobW · 7 January 2008, 01:33 PM

sure, any and all projects are welcome.

RobW · 7 January 2008, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAC Cadet Leader

i'd check a box if you had one that said...

not an aeroplane builder, but like watching the process

hmmmm... my poll question # 4 was supposed to cover that one... hmmmm

Brad · 7 January 2008, 03:23 PM

Ok, my details:

I have helped a little with a few other experimentals, but never completed one. I have a partially-completed (50%?) Graham Lee Nieuport 11, that I have NO intention of finishing. (I don't want a "common" bird like that... there are too many flying.) No N-number yet of course. It is for sale if anyone is interested... I'm looking at other things to build, also WWI reduced scale, NONE of them currently available as plans or kits, undecided so far what to build. Potential candidates are as follows...

Single seaters:
75-80% Plalz DIII, 75-80% Albatros DV, 90% Aviatik 30.40, 75% Siemens-Schuckert EI, 75-80% Roland DII, 75-80% Siemens-Schuckert DIII or DIV, 75-80% Halberstadt DII. On the bad guy side, the DH2, SE5a, Nieuport 28, Camel, and both SPADs have potential... All of those are interesting aircraft...

Multi seaters:
Roland CII, Albatros C Series, Rumpler C series, or a Taube. Note that I didn't specify scale...

The Albatros or Rumpler 2-seaters would be based on a reworked Pietenpol fuselage design, so that would determine scale, and would almost certainly use a Model A for power. Some of those single seaters would also use the same powerplant.

My problem is picking one and not getting cold feet. Engine selection on the inline-engine birds is problematic... the Model A really does seem to be the engine of choice, and I'm not sure I am comfortable with that.

Obviously the more streamlined birds would require more effort to build... each of those aircraft has advantages and disadvantages when it comes to doing a reduced scale replica. Trying to figure out the best compromise gives me a headache! Weight and balance issues, the ability to trailer it when completed, size (for storage), cost, simplicity, "coolness factor." All of those play a part.

sheppo · 7 January 2008, 05:47 PM

Sheppo
Chris shepherd
Albatros D5a
Full size
fuselage going together at this moment, ribs etc made as well.
Working from some drawings via Bob Waugh and piles, and piles and piles of sketches and notes from the AWM (thanks agian for all thier help)
First time builder and gradually building reference material for project #2 a Hannover CL-III / IV

chris

RobW · 7 January 2008, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

Ok, my details:

I have helped a little with a few other experimentals, but never completed one. I have a partially-completed (50%?) Graham Lee Nieuport 11, that I have NO intention of finishing. (I don't want a "common" bird like that... there are too many flying.) No N-number yet of course. It is for sale if anyone is interested... I'm looking at other things to build, also WWI reduced scale, NONE of them currently available as plans or kits, undecided so far what to build. Potential candidates are as follows...

Single seaters:
75-80% Plalz DIII, 75-80% Albatros DV, 90% Aviatik 30.40, 75% Siemens-Schuckert EI, 75-80% Roland DII, 75-80% Siemens-Schuckert DIII or DIV, 75-80% Halberstadt DII. On the bad guy side, the DH2, SE5a, Nieuport 28, Camel, and both SPADs have potential... All of those are interesting aircraft...

Multi seaters:
Roland CII, Albatros C Series, Rumpler C series, or a Taube. Note that I didn't specify scale...

The Albatros or Rumpler 2-seaters would be based on a reworked Pietenpol fuselage design, so that would determine scale, and would almost certainly use a Model A for power. Some of those single seaters would also use the same powerplant.

My problem is picking one and not getting cold feet. Engine selection on the inline-engine birds is problematic... the Model A really does seem to be the engine of choice, and I'm not sure I am comfortable with that.

Obviously the more streamlined birds would require more effort to build... each of those aircraft has advantages and disadvantages when it comes to doing a reduced scale replica. Trying to figure out the best compromise gives me a headache! Weight and balance issues, the ability to trailer it when completed, size (for storage), cost, simplicity, "coolness factor." All of those play a part.

Brad,
Thanks for the Great Response! This is exactly the kind of stuff I'm looking for!

Rob W

RobW · 7 January 2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheppo

Sheppo
Chris shepherd
Albatros D5a
Full size
fuselage going together at this moment, ribs etc made as well.
Working from some drawings via Bob Waugh and piles, and piles and piles of sketches and notes from the AWM (thanks agian for all thier help)
First time builder and gradually building reference material for project #2 a Hannover CL-III / IV

chris

Chris,
Thanks, I recognize your project from another group. What a heck of a first time project. Best of luck to you and would love to see pictures posted here.

Rob W

Nick · 8 January 2008, 02:49 PM

Nick Caudwell
Sopwith Snipe
Full Scale
Sopwith Plans from WW1 Aero plus Jim Kiger's from Replicraft
Melbourne , Australia
Approx 40% complete? Fuselage well on way. Wing ribs and fittings all finished but will leave assembly till last due space. First time builder. Finding the whole process a most enjoyable learning experience.
Nil Reg at this stage
Nil website but have posted a few pics of it in the Aircraft section of this site under the Snipe thread