sopwith triplane rigging?

[albatros1234]

i have the eduard 1/48 sop tripe and i'm about half done. before i start putting the middle and top wing on i have a rigging question. there is a rigging line coming from the top wing cabane that appears to go thru the middle wing to the lower wing interplane strut base. the eduard rigging instructions could be vague ? it looks like it goes thru the middle wing and i have to drill a hole. is this the case? it doesnt seem like it could pass in front of the middle wing to the bottom of the interplane but i guess it could due to the stagger of the wings. does anyone know where i can find a better rigging diagram or have any insight on this. another quick question is this motor supposed to be a clerget?

[Terry_Crisp]

Albatros,
Peering at photos in my reference books and checking the Drawing in the Osprey Triplane Aces, it appeares that the line from the cabane to the bottom of the interplane strut does in fact penetrate the mid wing at the eleventh rib and exits at the twelth,counting from inboard to out. Contrarilly,the line from the top of the interplane strut to the lower side of the fuselage, attaching just forward of the forward landing gear strut passes in front of the wing.
Remember, If your Tripe is a Sopwith product this line will be doubled. If it is a subcontracted one this line is single.
Originally fitted with 110 hp Clergets, from late 1916 130 hp Clergets were fitted.
HTH,
Terry

[albatros1234]

thanks so much terri, it looked like it went thru the wing and from a geometric stanpoint i thought it must. but i wanted to check with someone who had a better reference than just a kit diagram so i did'nt drill a hole for nothing, i didnt want to try to drill it after the wing was installed for fear of breaking something.eduard shouldve mmolded a hole in the wing or at least put a dimple for a guide.

[Paul Buch]

Sopwith Triplane Replica | The Vintage Aviator

Some good pics here showing the wires and their paths.

[albatros1234]

wow perfect paul thats all i need.

[PupCam]

Hi Albatros,

The flying wire actually intersects the leading edge of the middle wing. There is a notch in the leading edge, which is reinforced, to restore the strength and in this case a cover over the aperture aswell. This photograph of the Triplane at Old Warden in the UK, shows this feature and also the attachment of the upper drag and anti-drag wires. This aircraft, was built in the 1980s as an accurate replica. Sir Thomas Sopwith said it was such an accurate replica that it should be considered to be "a late production standard" aircraft! You will note that some of the other excellent replicas have simplified matters somewhat by using things like a welded steel fuselage and a radial rather than rotary engine.

It is a fascinating aeroplane and I am also building a model, albeit a little larger at 1/3 scale. I am slowly adding photographs of the Old Warden Triplane on my build thread that can be found here http://www.rcmf.co.uk/4um/index.php/topic,48364.0.html which may be of use to you.

HTH

Alan

[albatros1234]

thanks alot pupcam i do appreciate it.