Clerget powerd Camel

Makhpiyaluta · 11 March 2007, 08:40 AM

Well guys, we've decided to instal our 130 hp clerget into our steeltube fuselage replica Camel so I'm searching for info on the instalation.
Details on the engine mount, diagrams for fuel/oil lines, pulsators, ignition etc.
Any help would be much appreciated.

Willem

Makhpiyaluta · 13 March 2007, 01:12 PM

Please yentlemen not all together

Willem

Maxim08 · 13 March 2007, 05:43 PM

Willem,

Can't help you much but this photo may be interesting.

This is Fred Murrin's Camel. Photo was taken last summer. All original construction and instrumentation. Hand painted finish on fabric including all lettering. It looks flawless.
Unfortunately I cannot locate my notes. It was a long and hot day and I had been drinking beer waiting for the day to cool off. I believe that this a/c is using a Gnome and not a Clerget. No idea what the differences would be, but if you contacted Fred I am sure that he would be of assistance.
I believe that Fred used Jim Kieger's drawings for much of his construction details. Have you looked at these?
Good luck,
Regards,
John

MerlinV · 13 March 2007, 06:34 PM

Actually that looks like a Gnome Monosoupape (sic)... The first time I've ever seen one of them strapped to the front of a Camel!

Thanks for the photo

Cheers,

Hugh

Taz · 13 March 2007, 07:01 PM

Hugh- That is a 160 hp Gnôme 9N Monosoupape and there is no sic about it since the late model Gnômes were real single valves with 2 stroke type intake ports instead of the old style automatic valve in piston. The 100 hp Monosoupape engines fitted to the D.H.2 and F.E.8 were also real monosoupape engines. The Gnôme 9N was one of the standard engines fitted to the Camel late in the war so the aircraft is accurate. Gnôme Camels even had the rpm selector switch like the Nieuport 28. Camels were factory fitted with 130 and 140 hp Clerget, 150 hp AR/BR-1, 120 hp Le Rhône, and 160 hp Gnôme engines.

For more details on the Gnôme 9N, search back threads.

Fred says he could build three Dr.Is in the amount of time it took to build the Camel.

Taz
Terry Phillips

Jeff Brooks · 14 March 2007, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taz

Hugh-
Fred says he could build three Dr.Is in the amount of time it took to build the Camel.
Taz
Terry Phillips

That may be true, but that is one awsome looking camel and although it took forever to make there are people traveling far and wide to see it! I'll bet once she flies, it will be amazing to watch it turn!

Taz · 14 March 2007, 08:18 AM

Jeff- No doubt, plus the workmanship involved is superb. The Camel really took experienced craftsmen to build during the the war, whereas Fokker fuselages and tail surfaces could be welded together by well-trained journeymen. Wings for both were built by experienced woodworkers, but again the Fokker products were simpler. Just a difference in philosophy. Sopwith had it workd out, though, since thay and their licensees built some 5000 during the war.

Taz
Terry Phillips

Ransom E. Olds · 14 March 2007, 09:56 AM

It is, of course, a question of philosophy, but when push comes to shove it seems to me that of the major airplane makers of the Great War only Anthony Fokker gave any indication he understood he needed to make tools for the twentieth century by twentieth century methods. The Camel and, even more so, the SPAD are lovely things, but they don't strike me as altogether realistic responses to the needs of 1914-18. Ransom

karrart · 14 March 2007, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Brooks

That may be true, but that is one awsome looking camel and although it took forever to make there are people traveling far and wide to see it! I'll bet once she flies, it will be amazing to watch it turn!

Anybody who's seen Chuck Wentworth fling Javier Arango's Gnome Camel all over the sky can attest to what a gnarly beast a Gnome-powered Camel can be!
Robert Karr
www.karrart.com

Makhpiyaluta · 14 March 2007, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxim08

Willem,

Can't help you much but this photo may be interesting.

This is Fred Murrin's Camel. Photo was taken last summer. All original construction and instrumentation. Hand painted finish on fabric including all lettering. It looks flawless.
Unfortunately I cannot locate my notes. It was a long and hot day and I had been drinking beer waiting for the day to cool off. I believe that this a/c is using a Gnome and not a Clerget. No idea what the differences would be, but if you contacted Fred I am sure that he would be of assistance.
I believe that Fred used Jim Kieger's drawings for much of his construction details. Have you looked at these?
Good luck,
Regards,
John

John,

Thanks for the photo a realy wonderful plane!! No I haven't looked at any plans yet because I first wanted to hear from you guys out here what is the best source to look at. Do you maybe have a corresponding adress for Fred Murrin?? In that case I will contact him to see what I might be able to do for us. Again thanks sofar!!!

Willem