Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

Hey guys, the Sopwith Camel that I am reviewing for RCU Magazine is due to arrive today.

We're thinking about trying something new. We're going to do a "Build Thread" on the Camel so you can follow along with the building process, ask questions, make comments, etc. and when it is complete, it will be posted in the Magazine like any other review.

So feel free to ask for specific pictures, or comment on controls, hardware, or whatever else your little hearts desire.

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

Well, the Camel arrived right on schedule. I have to say that the packaging is outstanding. I think this is the best jobs of packaging I have ever seen. All of the parts look great too.

I'll post pics when I get home.

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

Good deal, look forward to seeing the build. I am considering one of these but recovering it and painting it.

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

Ok, here are the first few pics. And I gotta say that my first impressions are good. As I said, the packaging is excellent and the workmanship looks terrific.

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

Check for those brass grommets for the stab and fin. Mine were missing.

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

Will do

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

How do the glue joints look, as far as you can see them?

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

I'll give them a good look tonight

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

All of the glue joints (That I can see) look great. There's enough glue to hold, but not sloppy.

Here are a few more picks.

1 A close up of the Cowl and Machine Guns

2, 3 & 4 installing the Cabane

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

I had a minor problem with the landing gear. On all of the nylon straps (1 for tail, 4 for mains) the holes were just a little closer than on the fuse, so I heated a piece of 4-40 rod and melted the holes a bit to elongate them.

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

Then before quitting for the night, I epoxied the aileron servo mounts in place, and this morning, I mounted the servos.

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

Looks like all the building was done out of the box. Seems that the final assembly is going along well also.

What are you planning on using for power?

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

I'm planning to put a Zenoah G-20ei in it. That's a bit more than it needs, but I figure the plane needs a ton of nose weight anyway, and if I use a big prop with a low pitch, it should be a pretty good match.

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

I'll say. Our club prez put one in his, balance was perfect without additional weight. Apparently, the flight characteristics of the H-9 Camel are very similar to the prototype. You got to keep it straight and let it lift off on its own, and it still wants to torque roll, so be ready. He maidened his with a 16-6/10 Zinger, and was flying at idle; he changed it to an 18-6 and it's much better, but you could probably even go to a -5 or -4 pitch. This engine is unreal. Our prez tached his at 7700 rpm with the 18-6, that's as good as the G-26; the thing looks great in the air. Here are some pics of his at Warbirds over Tripletree last week:

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

Yea, I've got that engine in the H-9 Hellcat right now. It has a TON of power! I'm swinging a Graupner 14x7 3-Blade and I can't go past half throttle.

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

Gas on this plane, I can't wait to see it!

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

All it seems to be missing is the World War I Flying Ace (Snoopy) pilot :)

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

I've already got the wife shopping for one :D

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

Mike, Have her pick up two..........:)

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

That looks great in the air![8D]
Nice pics...

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

I cann't wait to see the engine installation pics/balancing!
Kostas

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

I got the engine in last night. It wasn't too difficult getting it in there, but I had to make a few changes.

The two lower cowl attachment points interfered - one with the Carb and one with the muffler. So I painstakingly trimmed them down and got them so they no longer hit anything... Then I cut out the cowl and realized that once the cowl was cut, there was no cowl left in either of those two areas! So I could have just hacked them off - which I will now do and put two new blocks in somewhere else.

A few cool things worth mentioning:

The little box they give you for that honkin' chunk of lead can be cut down and it makes a perfect cradle for the EI Module. Also, I'm using a NoBS Intellect HR-1400 battery for the EI which is a narrow pack (See pic) and it fits perfectly between the underside of that box and the engine. So everything is mounted forward of the firewall.

I didn't get a chance to D/L the pictures last night, and I'm heading up north till tomorrow, so I'll post pics of the engine on Sunday.

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

Mike, Got my Camel today. Before leaving store we took everything out of box aand checked for contents. If, by "grommets" you mean the small brass tabs with holes in each end that they show in the tail rigging photos....Mine came already attached to wire at each end. There are 16 rigging wires, 8 for the wings and 8 for the tail, right? It look like they all have to be cut near the middle to install the turnbuckles. Probably wont get there for a week or two, but I guess I'll find out.... Keep the thread a goin' it's great. Cliff

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

How they can produce such a beautiful machine for the money is beyond me! These will be hot, hot, hot items. I hope they continue the WWI series!

Yak

RE: Hangar-9 Sopwith Camel Build Thread
 

I think a Sopwith Pup would be great..... The Pup is a gentle flyer, and is a clean looking WWI plane. There are some kits, but as yet no ARF's..... If they can do this good on a Camel a good rendition of a D-VII would sell great, I'd get one.....Maybe a letter writing campaign to Hangar 9 to let them know what you want.....