Sopwith Baby Project

Flybefree · 10 October 2013, 03:37 AM

I blame you guys for this. Just sent out an order for a Sopwith Baby kit to Holden, planning on VW for the powerplant. I am looking at doing a little builder's assist when I pick up the kit. I have read most every thread here on the forum about building one of these things and seeing Mr. Burt's Pup at Oshkosh along with the Spirit of Saint Louis simply pushed me over the edge. I guess Oshkosh can do that. I had always planned on building my own plane "someday" and it seems that today is the day to start. Many thanks to all of you who have posted/shared so much inspiration/encouragement, seeing what you have done/been doing convinced me to at least try to do this thing. See, the internets can be used for good!

For you experts out there, anything you would recommend I do to start things off on the right foot? I have a good shop to work in with most of the tools/tooling I have seen you use for building this type of plane...minus the HF rivet puller. We are still working on finishing the fall harvest, we have a farm in Marysville, OH, once the harvest is in it will be GAME ON!

v/r

Shaun

Brad · 10 October 2013, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flybefree

I blame you guys for this. Just sent out an order for a Sopwith Baby kit to Holden, planning on VW for the powerplant. I am looking at doing a little builder's assist when I pick up the kit. I have read most every thread here on the forum about building one of these things and seeing Mr. Burt's Pup at Oshkosh along with the Spirit of Saint Louis simply pushed me over the edge. I guess Oshkosh can do that. I had always planned on building my own plane "someday" and it seems that today is the day to start. Many thanks to all of you who have posted/shared so much inspiration/encouragement, seeing what you have done/been doing convinced me to at least try to do this thing. See, the internets can be used for good!

For you experts out there, anything you would recommend I do to start things off on the right foot? I have a good shop to work in with most of the tools/tooling I have seen you use for building this type of plane...minus the HF rivet puller. We are still working on finishing the fall harvest, we have a farm in Marysville, OH, once the harvest is in it will be GAME ON!

v/r

Shaun

Yes, doing exactly that is probably the best single thing you can do.

snj5 · 10 October 2013, 06:12 AM

Shaun

I built the Airdrome Sopwith Baby prototype (since sold), and am just south of you here near Xenia. Once harvest is in, let's sit down over a pizza and compare notes as you get started (especially on weight and balance). The Baby is very straight forward, and builder's assist is the way to go for sure!

Look forward to meeting and flying with you!

Flybefree · 10 October 2013, 07:07 AM

Russ,

That would be great, excited to pick your brain on this build. I read your build thread, loved the steering wheel, thought it turned out great.

V/R

Shaun

RAF56_Ball · 10 October 2013, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flybefree

I blame you guys for this...and seeing Mr. Burt's Pup at Oshkosh along with the Spirit of Saint Louis simply pushed me over the edge. I guess Oshkosh can do that...

Shaun

Bwahahahahaha! We hooked another WW1 maniac!

Russ is a great assest for this build (especially for detail ideas), as will be Rob Waring (especially for home made functional parts). Just keep Russ away from the shopping cart

Have fun!

Bookmaker · 10 October 2013, 09:03 AM

I'll be watching.

RAF56_Ball · 10 October 2013, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookmaker

I'll be watching.

Creepy! Now get back into the workshed, Igor!

snj5 · 10 October 2013, 07:24 PM

Here's a video of my previous Sopwith Hamble Baby with it's new owner on their first take off -- look at that take-off roll and climb! What fun!

sator · 10 October 2013, 10:30 PM

Awesome build, I wish RAF56 Ball would get my triplane done it feels like I,ve been waiting forever.

Flybefree · 11 October 2013, 03:54 AM

Okay, some good advice...yes you have sucked me in with the lure of long painful builds followed by never-ending tinkering on airplanes that go slower than my Scion. I must be crazy, I have three kids under six...boys...a farm, four cats, a garden...what I need is a big project to pull it all together! I do hereby swear that no matter what kind of mojo Russ uses on me I will not add a reproduction rotary engine, working Lewis gun (along with required ATF Class III paperwork), reproduction 65lb bombs with operating release mechanism and flour marking system, and linen covering hand woven by 17 Irish maids from a little seaside village just south of Galloway.

Now, because I have subscribed to Dale's build thread I am ashamed to say I have seen him doing his topless building routine...so there COULD be a touch of creepiness to his stalking comment

Russ, it must be cool to see someone else enjoying your build.

On the yahoo group a suggestion was made that I consider a metal brake...how long a brake would one need? I was planning on making the EAA version so length is not as cost prohibitive as a purpose built machine.

v/r

Shaun