GAAM Sopwith Pup

US95Damiani · 20 October 2009, 04:20 PM

Here's a few photos of a Sopwith pup project we acquired, the fuse is Steel tube and the wings wood. we're workiing from the Replicraft drawings and a set of orignal Sopwith drawings. It's a neat challenge interpolating wood into steel tube. Now if anyone knows of a 110 or125 warner for sale reasonable... LOL We are in need of an engine for the project.

Take care!

US95Damiani · 24 October 2009, 05:46 PM

drrivah · 25 October 2009, 03:05 AM

Great work. Hope you offer steel tube plans/dwgs when complete. Was a stress analysis of the trusswork done? Original plans may have included a stress diagram of wings. Many here would be interested in the details of the fuselage conversion from original ash/spruce to 4130 tube.

Dick King's ORA LeRhone Pup was a steel fuselage with wooden wing design. The aircraft resides at the Owl's Head Museum of Transportation in Maine, and flies summer airshows last I heard.

Would be of interest to compare your fuselage trusswork with the one at OHM if someone has photos of the King Pup fuselage without fabric.

Thanks.

-pete

US95Damiani · 25 October 2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drrivah

Great work. Hope you offer steel tube plans/dwgs when complete. Was a stress analysis of the trusswork done? Original plans may have included a stress diagram of wings. Many here would be interested in the details of the fuselage conversion from original ash/spruce to 4130 tube.

Dick King's ORA LeRhone Pup was a steel fuselage with wooden wing design. The aircraft resides at the Owl's Head Museum of Transportation in Maine, and flies summer airshows last I heard.

Would be of interest to compare your fuselage trusswork with the one at OHM if someone has photos of the King Pup fuselage without fabric.

Thanks.

-pete

Hi Pete,

the fuselage as you see it was built by a gentleman whom built it exactly to the wood structure of the original and (replicraft) drawings. the only major difference was the addition of steel tube cross members to replace the wires for structural strength. The entire fuselage was built from .049" wall tubing so it is extremely strong and rigid and unfortunately heavier than the wood structure. The wings are wood, with some changes in the bracketry to allow for streamline tubing struts. the wing attach fittings we devised are essentially identical to the wing fittings on the winstead special, so should be plenty strong. IN addition the builder lengthened the lower wings by 3" to make up for the 3" sub spar carrythrough on either side of the fuselage. the forward square cross tube with the rudder bar post was added to to simulate the sub spar.

We removed some tubing out of the tail to lighten things the tubing as welded, will be plenty strong and lighten the tail by hopefully 1 lb.

We will be re-doing some of the wing fittings to allow wood struts ala the original.

With regard to Dick King's airplane you are correct. It is at owl's head and he did build the fuse from Steel tube. If you buy his book the Skies over Rhinebeck he devotes an entire chapter to the construction of his pup with many photos.

The only thing I wish is that we could find another 80 LeRhone for it It is out of the budget unfortunately. Right now we are seeking a 110,125,145 warner for the airplane or a LeBlonde/Ken-Royce.

At any rate We'll keep you all posted as the project progresses.

US95Damiani · 31 October 2009, 03:03 PM

Had to run around for Acetylene today and put together my welding cart and even actually had a ride so The Waco got exercised so progress was a little slow. Working on finishing up the tail skid mounting and steering arm.

US95Damiani · 1 November 2009, 04:47 PM

US95Damiani · 9 November 2009, 02:59 PM

Tail Skid finished

Fairleads installed

Cowl ring temporarily in place

US95Damiani · 16 November 2009, 02:49 AM

Well as you all know 90% done means 90% to go. Been working on the details of fairleads and strut sockets. Fairleads are done, forward cabane strut sockets are just starting...

How about the irony of using Fokker clamps on a Steel Tube Sopwith? LOL

bristol scout · 16 November 2009, 04:19 AM

Hi Guys,
Steel tube fuselage aside those pictures exude Sopwith Pup--exquisite workmanship-----I (over the years) built two 1/3rd. Pups and can quite imagine your enthusiasm for this most delightful of aeroplanes.

I hope your dreams are realised and look forward to seeing her develop...

Dave.

Joe Perkel · 17 November 2009, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bristol scout

Hi Guys,
Steel tube fuselage aside those pictures exude Sopwith Pup--exquisite workmanship

That statement is particularly true from this angle.....Ditto!