Sopwith Camel (oz16111)

About this Plan

Sopwith Camel. Radio control sale model WWI fighter biplane. Wingspan 56 in, for 25 to 40 engines. Scale is 1/6.

Quote: "One hump or two? Bob Wright hopes you will build his easy to construct 1/6th scale Camel for three or four channel radio and '25' to '40' sized engines.

There cannot be many modellers around who have not heard of the Sopwith Camel, and who at one time or another have wanted to model it. Let me tell you how this model of mine came about.

For many years I made a succession of scale models which were of modest weight and power and controlled by two channel radio acting on rudder and throttle. I can say that I had a modicum of success until, in 1985, I was challenged to produce a 1/6th scale Camel using just those two basic controls. My diary records that I started design work in May of that year. The first flight took place on 19, August and ended in a stall! Three major disasters followed until I tamed the beast.

Now, in case the foregoing has put you off, I hasten to add that I learned a few lessons and have produced a new and improved Camel which is as easy to fly as the old one was difficult. It has an O.S.40 four-stroke (not Surpass) engine, radio control of rudder elevator and engine, is generally strengthened where weaknesses showed up in the old one, and as I said before, is a delight to fly. It turns the scales at 4 lb 11 oz ready for take-off.

After the success with the civilian version of the Camel I decided to build a military model, but a two seat type. This is based on the original drawing and I 'eyeballed' the location and size of the two seat cockpit, using the information from the Chaz Bowyer 'Sopwith Camel' book. The engine installation was also different as I used an Irvine 25 glow engine, which certainly produced as much power as the original OS 40 four-stroke. Finished in the colour scheme of the South East Area Flying Instructors School, the unusual two seater flies just as well as the civilianised model.

There is no pretension that my Camel is super-scale or super-detailed, it is intended to be an easy to build fun flyer. To achieve the latter aim it is necessary to keep the weight down to a practical minimum and always be conscious, during building and finishing, of not letting the weight increase unnecessarily. You can fit ailerons, but if you do, try to save weight elsewhere.

For ease of maintenance and storage the tail unit and top wing are held on by the tried and proved elastic bands. Don't let this deter you, they cannot be seen when the model is flying. You can easily devise more solid and permanent methods if you wish. The lower wing is secured by one dowel and a nylon bolt and captive nut. This latter area is one which proved troublesome on the old machine where the same bands were used to hold both wing and undercarriage, and a sloppy structure resulted.

As with my previously published designs, I have included many notes on the plan rather than go to great lengths in this accompanying article. Do bear in mind when starting work that, in the words of one of my old instructors, the fit is more important than the dimension!

If you use a two-stroke engine you will be able to omit F2 and mount the engine directly on to F1. By the way, the OS 40 four-stroke provides more than adequate power so there is no need to use anything larger.

The absence of aileron control may worry some people. Should you incorporate them, don't forget they will add weight and that means an increase in wing loading, and you will find the model flies faster as a result. This will spoil the 'scale speed effect' which is good at the moment.

Before flying, check everything for security and run the engine until you are satisfied it will pick up after long periods on low power settings. Make sure the balance point is as shown. Talking of balance points reminds me that I always take great care to balance wings before covering. I'm sure this helps towards stable flight, especially where ailerons are not incorporated.

Readers may wonder about the civil markings. Of the five thousand or so Camels built, only two were registered after the war. Of those two, G-EAWN was the only one to appear with the lettering applied. The other G-EBER crashed and killed its pilot before the lettering was painted on. Have no fear, your model Camel will fly like a bird!"

From Flying Scale Models, January 1998.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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