Camel Toe in

Terry_Crisp · 12 April 2003, 05:55 PM

Gentlemen,
I've been doing some research on camels planning to build one in the not too distant future (HAH!).
I"ve noticed that in many photos the wheels are toed in at the top. / Thusly.
The drawings I have show the wheels straight up. My speculation is that the axles get bent just outside the strut attachment point from hard landings.
My question is: Is my speculation correct or is this an alternative configuration?
Best regards,
Terry

Barker · 12 April 2003, 07:14 PM

Hi Terry.

From what I know, it's the fatigue in the bungee cords that were wrapped around each wheel and attached to the axel. The axel's fine -if I recall correctly, the axel of many of these a/c was split in the middle as a pivot and the bungees outboard are the shock absorber for landings and take-off runs.

The drawing shows wheels square on just to pumb everything up for ideal representation. However, in the field, I think the things slowly got progressively "softer" such that the config you keyboard,
/ *
is pretty close to "real life" circa '17.

Go to pilots & planes, online and look at various pics and you'll see if you look close. Happen to favor 'less is more', kind of along the lines of a good horse would be 'experienced but not swaybacked'...fwiw.

A little goes a long way unless you want a well-used bird.

If nothing else, just type Sopwith Camel in Google and look til you find it.

easy.

(can't resist)

OTOH, the other kind of Camel Toe is not found in WW1 warbirds, but the keyboard config is easily done with just the addition of a single stroke.
that's a different model.

MikeW · 13 April 2003, 02:43 AM

Terry,

Barker is absolutely correct, the camel had a split axle - the two stub axles were pivoted at the centre of the spreader, and each wheel/axle assembly *was free to pivot upwards about the centre of spreader. The bungee cord suspension provided the springing to restrict the movement.

I have photographs of a Sopwith Triplane where the bungee was either so loose or so worn, that the wheels were leaning in at a hell of an angle.

In automotive terminology, the "lean in" is actually called negative camber, "toe in" would refer to the front of the wheels being closer together than the rear of the tyres, i.e. / looking from above.

Mike

Barker · 13 April 2003, 04:03 AM

;D

Yes, but then Terry would not have been able to get my onry attention with that handle.

Back to cases:
You can sim this neatly by splitting your own axel and wrapping suitable colored thread around each axel a cpl turns. It's a nice touch. Early Eduard kits provide for half of this with pins instead of plastic molding. You provide thread. On the more exposed a/c, it's almost a necessity as it's very visual. Depends on your tastes in detail.
it's all good.

Terry_Crisp · 13 April 2003, 08:10 AM

Gentlemen,
Thank you for your informative and amusing replies. I must admit that I have been caught redhanded at using a catchy title for the thread.
Best regards to all and ain't this fun.
Terry

Barker · 13 April 2003, 09:49 AM

Terrance, for further fun & games, type the title in Google and see where you land.

It won't be outside a chateau. 8)

Mark_Miller · 13 April 2003, 12:15 PM

Hi
One thing I would like to point out is that, as far as i know, the Camel's split axel did not "split" in the middle. The seperate axels started about 1/3 the way in. Although, I do believe that the tripe did have the pivot point at the center.
The attached photos shows the setup pretty clearly, although the wheel aren't at an angle because the museum took the load off with those stands.
HTH
Mark

StephenLawson · 13 April 2003, 06:05 PM

Oh that kind of Camel Toe!!!!

Barker · 15 April 2003, 02:50 AM

Well, it certainly isn't the Middle Eastern variety, Ollie.