Sopwith Camel (oz1312)

About this Plan

Sopwith Camel. 1/6th scale radio control model, for .60 power.

Quote: "THE Sopwith Camel will always have a special place in the history of aviation. Developed in 1916 by Sopwith's chief designer Herbert Smith as a successor to the Pup and Triplane, the Camel was used from the Spring of 1917 on the Western Front. The new scout did not have the forgiving flying characteristics of its predecessors, demanding skillful handling from pilots if really successful use was to be made of this mount. Low speed handling was especially critical and was the cause of many crashes, in fact, it is said that there were more crashes due to this kind of mishandling, than due to enemy action.

Despite such idiosyncrasies, the Camel was one of the most successful allied scouts during WWI with more than 1,290 victories scored on this type. Its manoeuvra-bility in dog-fight encounters was superb and it was well armed with two synchronised Vickers machine guns. After conversion to the Camel, many pilots refused to fly any other type.

Total Camel production was 5,490 machines, which were used by the air arms of many nations, the last leaving RAF service in 1922.

The model was built 100% true to scale. Not only are the outline dimensions correct, but also ribs and spar arrangements conform to the full size structure. That such accuracy can have its disadvantages was proved with the prototype, because not only does the model look like the full size, it inherits the same flying characteristics!

The low speed flight, especially, has its problems, and care must be taken on the landing approach. I was, however, pleasantly surprised at the take-off characteristics. Having expected snaking tendencies, I was pleased to find that the model can easily be held straight during the take-off run. Since elevator control is extremely sensitive, proportional radio gear is very much advisable. During first flights, the ailerons were not very effective. This I had expected, since the Camel has the same wing section as my DH-2 (built previously). The result of this is that the ailerons are not used to fly the model, and these control surfaces could he omitted, reducing the construction effort... "

Quote: "Hi there. This plan was designed by Franz Meier of Switzerland. It was plan number RC/1099 in the RCM&E catalogue. A five-page article written by Franz Meier himself on building the model appeared in the December 1970 issue of RCM&E."

Update 09/07/2013: Have resized this plan up to full-scale at 56.5in wingspan, thanks to colinmeister.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, text and pics, thanks to ColinSharpe.

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