Sopwith Dolphin (oz15874)

About this Plan

Sopwith Dolphin. Control line scale model WWI fighter biplane. Wingspan 32 in. Ohlsson .29 engine shown.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 28/2/2025: Added article, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "Paging all World War I fans - this easily built bipe will make a fine addition to your U-control collection. Sopwith Dolphin, by Vincent R Manfredi.

When the famous Spad and SE5 fighters began to find it increasingly difficult to maintain aerial superiority against the newer German machines, they were replaced by the negatively staggered Sopwith 'Dolphin.' This English design came in 200 hp, 220 hp and 300 hp models. The 200 hp model attained a top speed of 131 mph and weighed 1880 lb fully loaded. The range was 230 miles and the service ceiling 21,000 ft.

Standard armament was two Vickers guns buried in the cowl and firing through the propeller disk, plus two Lewis guns mounted on the upper wing forward spar and firing upward. The latter guns were movable and could be fired almost directly up or at an angle just clearing the propeller. Four hundred Dolphins saw action; over 1.000 were built.

All Dolphins were powered with eight-cylinder, Vee type, liquid-cooled Hispano-Suiza engines. The French as well as the English used the 300 hp Dolphin. Our model sports the markings of the Eighty-Seventh Fighter Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. The design designation is 5 F.1 for all Dolphins.

Engines from .19 to .33 cubic inch displacement can be used in this 265 sq. inch model. We used an O&R .23 engine swinging an 81/2/6 propeller, cut down from a 9 in prop.

The 1/8 sheet balsa fuselage sides are cut to shape and the engine mounts cemented to them securely. Cut the bulkheads and cement them in their proper location starting from the rear and working forward. The tail surfaces are cat from 1/8 sheet and sanded smooth. Cement the elevator halves to the hardwood spar and add the control horn. Using crinoline for hinges, hinge the elevator assembly to the stabilizer and cement the stabilizer to the fuselage.

The bellcrank is mounted to the hardwood foundation and the lead-out lines are added. Cement this assembly securely to the fuselage sides. Install the control rod now..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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