7/8 Nieuport 17 project

DEJ737 · 11 June 2012, 08:55 PM

Regards,
My name is Dave Johnson and this is my first WWI replica project. I'm picking up a 7/8 scale Nieuport 17 that is partially completed but coouldn't be finished. The builders widow is selling it at a low price so I lucked out.
I would like to hear from builder's whom may have built a 7/8 Graham Lee N 17.
My questions on wing sweep and engine choice are as follows.

I weigh in a 250lbs and would prefer to use a 4 stroke reduction drive powerplant. What would be the wing sweep requirements for this pilot/engine combo?

Will I be able to fly this airplane considering my weight and height(6'2")?

Info on subject requested plz & thx.

minimax · 11 June 2012, 11:50 PM

Hi Dave
I suggest you look through the Yahoo groups on Nieuport replica building: the Nieuport builders group, and the airdrome builders one. In addition the Dawn patrol website is a good resource:
The Dawn Patrol Homepage
The Dawn patrol books are written for their entertainment value rather than in-depth discussion, but they do discuss the incidence/sweep and engine issues as well.
There are many other online resources such as the Noon patrol:
Noon Patrol Builders Reports
and Wright patrol:
Wright Patrol Home
Many US builders have a 'build it and see if it flys' attitude and so are somewhat short on technical analysis. I posted to the above forums a year ago in an attempt to obtain and compare the sort of data you are interested in, and got no response whatsoever.
Just be aware that many builders have made important mods to the G Lee designs in order to strengthen the lower spar carry through: the original aircraft had a bit of an issue with this as well, but as one WW1 pilot remarked 'it flies perfectly well without the bottom wings'!
Good luck with the build

RobW · 13 June 2012, 10:29 AM

You may want to ask one of the moderators to move your thread to the Replica section...

rob

Bookmaker · 13 June 2012, 11:09 AM

Did you purchase that from a lady in Fort Walton Beach, Florida?

I am building a full size N 17. I am 6'2" and 220 (ish

). I felt the 7/8 scale would be a little small.

Dale

Breguet · 13 June 2012, 01:50 PM

I'm 102KG and 6' and find the cockpit very cramped indeed.

DEJ737 · 14 June 2012, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breguet

I'm 102KG and 6' and find the cockpit very cramped indeed.

It may be that I can modify the flight compartment.

DEJ737 · 14 June 2012, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookmaker

Did you purchase that from a lady in Fort Walton Beach, Florida?

I am building a full size N 17. I am 6'2" and 220 (ish

). I felt the 7/8 scale would be a little small.

Dale

If I expand the flight compartment and lose weight to 220lbs/100kg it may work ok. Thanks

DEJ737 · 14 June 2012, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookmaker

Did you purchase that from a lady in Fort Walton Beach, Florida?

I am building a full size N 17. I am 6'2" and 220 (ish

). I felt the 7/8 scale would be a little small.

Dale

Oh yes I pick it up soon when I get a break from zulu+3 time zone (work).

Bookmaker · 14 June 2012, 09:39 AM

Maybe when you get ready to come to pick it up, you can give me a shout and swing by and see my project. I live about an hour and a half north east of there in Marianna, Fl

Dale