1/3scale Sopwith Triplane
 

I finally finsihed my kit bash of a 1/3 scale Balsa USA Sopwith Pup into a Sopwith Triplane. I have not yet flown it, but hope to this weekend. I hope it flys as well as my Balsa USA Sopwith Pup. See the printed Balsa USA 2009 catalog for a picture of it.

Thanks to Prop Nut for helping me early on in the project with his ideas and his pictures, Randy Smith of GSWA for the idea on how to manage the wings in a two piece set and to John Romeo fo GSWA for some plans he had for a smaller scale version. The rest I worked out on my own and made the parts I needed for the project.

The power is a Quadra 100, the radio is a Futaba 2.4 with Hitec servos, covered with Solartex and painted markings. I added the tailwheel since it makes ground control much better.

I dont have the weight yet, but I estimate right at 40lbs like my Pup due to the large power plant. I used it for the balance. No weight has been added. It came out a little nose heavy according to my calculations and the plans others have shared with me for smaller scale plnaes.

The wings come off in a "suit case" and each mounts on my trailer walls. The fuse then is easy to carry on the trailer floor.

Anyone have suggestions for first flight breifing? I will post pictures of the maiden flight results regarless of the outcome. She either flys, or else. No hangar queens allowed in my shop!

Arkie Charlie

RE: 1/3scale Sopwith Triplane
 

incredible job ! a friend of mine has talked of doing it..maybe this will get him going !

Is that a recreation of an actual plane or did you just paint it to satifsy yourself and be original?

RE: 1/3scale Sopwith Triplane
 

Wow!!! [sm=thumbs_up.gif][sm=thumbs_up.gif][sm=thumbs_up.gif] Best of luck on the maiden!

RE: 1/3scale Sopwith Triplane
 

Ooooohhh... Pretty plane!



Vid or the maiden never happened![sm=72_72.gif]

RE: 1/3scale Sopwith Triplane
 

The colors are from a Sopwith Pup replica that is flying in Australia. I used the scheme on my Balsa USA 1/3 scale Pup. Everyone seems to like it, so I made this a sister plane in the same colors. Notice the different number on the tail. My trailer is also painted to mimic the scheme. Here is a picture of my Pup. It is the Pup Balsa USA displays in their 2009 catalog.

The maiden flight has not happened. I spent close to a year on construction, but now that it is finsished, I have not been able to get it to a nice large field for the maiden. I may still get that done this weekend. I will be taking her to the Warbirds over South Carolina GSWA event in Easly, S.C. next weekend.

RE: 1/3scale Sopwith Triplane
 

OK, I have seen that fullsclae replica pup online...and it is an immaculate machine.

I can understand why you chose it for color scheme on both of your Sopwiths. You did an excellent job to be sure.

RE: 1/3scale Sopwith Triplane
 

Fantastic job on a rarley seen bird, gotta love the Tripehound.

Barry

RE: 1/3scale Sopwith Triplane
 

It happened today! She flys! I was able to get her into the air on the first attempt, but as she lifted off she darted left so I set her down gently and tried again. With more right rudder, the second attempt looked like my Pup taking off. She kept rising so I cut the throttle to about 1/4. She still was rising, so all the down trim was added. She still would rise, but I could keep her level enough to keep flying.

I slowed her down again until the motor was popping just a little above idle. Then I brought her by for a slow flyby. She sounded and looked awsome! She was well behaved and flew just like my Pup with docile turns and almost scale response to commands. She floated in to land and almost did not want to come down. This bird is a keeper!

I did have to make a few adjustments after I got home this evening. I put some positive incidence in the horizontal stab to get some of my down trim back. I also added some addtional rudder to the ailerons for smoother turns. She does not like to turn without some rudder. Then I fixed a few things to make her presentable next week at Easley, SC.

Thanks again to all those who helped me. This project was definitely worth the effort.

Arkie Charlie

RE: 1/3scale Sopwith Triplane
 

Just for fun I converted a GP se5 to a triplane this summer, it had a bit of that extra climb in it also..I am not surprised with that massive bird you needed to mechanically re trim the tail. Also I wondered when I test flew mine if the tail would have enough surface to be effective..and WOW did it need more rudder !! not only do you have to use a bunch of rudder in the turns, but I had to add a larger rudder surface just to make it fly safely..I am glad the tail was effective enough on your build, it would be much riskier finding out in the sky than my little TRIPE...


video if interested... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Etttbev_ojw

RE: 1/3scale Sopwith Triplane
 

I did get to fly her on Saturday at Easley, SC. There is a video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an95RNBl3DU for anyone who is interested.

Arkie Charlie

RE: 1/3scale Sopwith Triplane
 

Thanks a ton for posting the video, I have been looking forward to seeing it since the thread started. It flew great !

RE: 1/3scale Sopwith Triplane
 

congrats on successful flights, that quadra 100 seems to be the perfect power for it too!

RE: 1/3scale Sopwith Triplane
 

Well done on the mods, and it flies great too. Certainly a different look in the sky.

RE: 1/3scale Sopwith Triplane
 

Charlie! I didnt know it was finished! Wow, that was fast, and it looks way better then mine! (I am jealous). I cannot see the video though :( can you repost it?

David