Sopwith Camel (oz3729)

About this Plan

Sopwith Camel. Rubber scale model of the WWI fighter biplane.

Quote: "EVERY now and then in all lines of endeavor a truly great event takes place. This is true in aviation as well as in other industries. The event which the author has in mind took place in late 1917 - it was the appearance in squadron strength of the famous Sopwith Camel scout fighters over the Western Front.

No sooner had the Camel received its baptism of fire than such aces as Collishaw, Little, Frew, MacLaren and others too numerous to mention began to roll up impressive numbers of victories at the expense of Kaiser Wilhelm's Imperial German Air Force. Even the great Baron Manfried von Richthofen had the somewhat disaster-filled distinction of being shot down over the Australian sector of the British lines by a young Canadian airman, Capt A Roy Brown, who finished the war with 13 Jerries to his confirmed credit. Yes, Brown polished off the great Red Knight who had about 82 Allied aerial scalps credited to himself. Richthofen, at the time of his death early in 1918, was flying a Fokker Triplane DR1.

Here are just a few of the Camel's points of interest: span 28 ft; length 13 ft 9 in; speed about 115 mph, and cruising time 2-1/2 hours. It could climb to 5,000 ft in 5 minutes, and below 12,500 ft it was the most maneuverable ship on any front any time during the war.

All of this remarkable performance was accomplished with a 130 hp Clerget Rotary. Later in the war Camels were reaching the front equipped with 150 hp Bentley, and finally 230 hp Bentley motors. Camels even served the British Royal Navy as shipboard fighters. The decks of the old carrier Furious of the Royal Navy echoed to the battle rhythm of the historic Camels.

Statistics show that squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps destroyed at least 905 enemy aircraft, while the Camel units of the Royal Naval Air Service destroyed over 370 along with one zeppelin and several kite balloons. This gives a grand total of at least 1,275 enemy aircraft as having fallen to the tune of guns manned by the young British pilots. This does not count the many victims of Camels flown by the Yanks, Belgians and even French; yes, even the latter purchased some Camels for their 'Chasse' escadrilles. With their two twin Vickers guns (sometimes one Vickers was mounted, supplemented by a Lewis gun over the center section which was uncovered for better visibility), the Camel pilots proceeded to whip many times their number of Jerries.

During the 1920's the Sopwith firm underwent a change in organization and emerged as the now famous Hawker Aircraft Co. The established and proven aeronautical design principles remained, however, and the modern Hawker Hurricane, Typhoon, and Tempest fighters of current fame are the direct descendants of the Sopwith Camel, Snipe, Dolphin, etc.

With this background in mind, you can readily see that no modeler's tarmac is complete without one of the greatest fighter planes that ever worried the 'Master Race.' If the accompanying plans and instructions are followed, you will be rewarded with a model that will be a beauty to behold, and one that will be a thrill to fly.

One word of caution: the author strongly recommends that no accessories such as smokescreen apparatus be installed. The writer, when he built the model pictured here, was interested in various gadgets. If he had not been in such a hurry to try out such miniature luxuries he might still have had his model Camel; at least he would have had a complete set of photographs to remember it by. That smoke-screen gadget, which was actually successful to a certain extent, caused the model to burst into flames after one particularly beautiful takeoff. All the friendly Gremlins on the model flying field could do nothing and the model was destroyed even before the decorative checkerboard design was applied to the entire tailplane. Just build a good model, fly it in an orthodox manner, and you will avoid learning a lesson the hard way as the author did to his disgust.

The model shown wore skiis throughout its short career and it performed spectacularly on snow and ice. Wheels can be easily fitted; however, if you have never had the experience of flying a model with ski gear here is one that will provide many thrills.

FUSELAGE: We begin by building the two sides of 3/32 square medium grade balsa. Note that this basic framework is shown on side and top views by the solid black construction. The two sides are joined together, first at the tail post, then working forward. Crossbraces of the same 3/32 square balsa are placed in like positions at top and bottom of fuselage. While this structure is drying, cut the side formers (two of each) from 1/32 sheet balsa and cement in their proper places. Cut formers 1, 2 and 3 from 1/16 sheet balsa and cement in place on top of the fuselage frame.

Now, from 1/32 sheet balsa, cut formers 4, 5, 6 and 7; install in their proper places. All stringers on fuselage sides are of 1/16 x 1/8 hard balsa; stringers on fuselage top aft of the cockpit are 1/32 x 1/16 hard balsa; and the two short stringers which join formers 1 and 2 forward of cockpit are 3/32 square balsa. When all stringers are installed, sand the entire framework to make it as smooth as possible.

The author suggests that a strong grade of bond paper be employed to cover the space between 1 and 2 top formers as well as to form the cockpit. Using small pieces of 3/32 flat soft balsa, fill in the space on each side of fuselage where the wings connect with the fuselage at the lower longeron. This filling in has been noted on the plans as the Wing Support Gusset. With razor blade and sandpaper, work this support gusset down to where it blends in with the side formers and lower longerons..."

Supplementary file notes

Planfile includes article.

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