i am building a vk-proctor sopwith camel and was wondering what engines has any of you used on a similar or the same plane. I plan to use a four stroke but i think a .91 would be overkill except maybe for the nose weight. is a .70 enough?

tom

I did the VK Nieuport and a Satio 50 was just right. Total weight was only around 6 pounds.
2 Piece

thanks! I was thinking a 91 was too much. what size prop did you run? any other words of wisdom?

thanks

tom

Tom, it has been many years, Satio dosen't make the 50 anymore, but I think I used a MA 12X6?? Words of Wisdom... WWI aircraft fly different than most, in that, even though they have a lot of wing area and a lite sq oz. loading you need to keep the speed up alittle more than usual on landing. I would not suggest that you try to float it in, instead fly it in. On take off runs hold in a little up elevator (keeps tail on ground) and gently but quickly add throtle using rudder to keep her straight. Once it gets rolling pretty good release the up elevator and the tail will come up, and a little later, if speed is right, the plane should lift off. Main object here is to get them off the ground as quickly and as nicely possible. They fly better than they do manuvering on the ground.
2 Piece

On this VK Nieuport I use a .56 saito with a recessed firewall glued to the rear of the forward Cabain struts. I mounted the engine inverted and put the servo for the throttle as well as the battery forward of the firewall. The .56 is overkill but I am swinging a 13x5 wood prop and when these photos were taken I only had to use a brass spinner weight to get the CG in specs. She jumps off the ground with plenty of rudder control and climbs like a rocket. Most of the flight is at 1/2 throttle. I was worried about the 4 cycle running inverted but have never had a problem with the Saito cutting out. I use 15% nitro with a OS F type plug. I just set it up for a good idle on the bench and then mounted it inverted. No problems since then.

As to Landings

A floating 3 point full stall landing is the way to go. If you glide it in it will be on its back nine out of 10 times as you have the gear under your cg and the weight up high.

Once you fly the Nieuport You will be hooked on VK kits

I have since gotten another one and plan to use Model Aviation Magazine plans avialable from 1980 to convert the kit to a Nieuport 24 bis. I also have a Camel and the 1 and 1/2 Strutter