Blue FFF Sopwith Triplane scratch build

[mclarkson]

After an unexpected level of success with my very first scratch build, I've decided I have to try it again. I'm starting this thread to hopefully provide me with some incentive to actually finish the thing.

I'm gonna try a 1/12 scale Sopwith Triplane, using another sheet of blue DOW fanfold foam.

Wingspan will be 26.5". Gonna bend undercamber wings.

Power plant will probably be a 2712-12 or 2712-17 pushing an 8" prop.

No idea how the to hook up six aileron's or, indeed, how best to attach the wings.

[mclarkson]

Gonna try using bamboo skewers as spars, mounted flush to the leading edge of all the wings.

[Fishbonez]

looks like its going to be a neat build. I am eager to see how it goes

[mclarkson]

I finished up my first 'test' wing. I actually broke it by accident so I'll probably recut this one once I figure out what I'm doing. Ailerons are only attached with some Scotch tape at the moment.

[mclarkson]

All three wings, cambered and shaped with LE spars on.



Still noodling about how I'm gonna do the fuselage and cabanes.

I'm thinking of trying to build the ailerons like the attached renders - similar to those single servo aileron linkages, but hooked directly to two servos which are set into the fuse at wing level.

Or not...

[Fishbonez]

Looks good. very interested in how you got the curve in the wings.

[mclarkson]

Mainly with my fingers, just running up and down the wing, pinching and pulling, over and over again, until the matched the shape of the 'ribs' I cut out.

My first effort, using the rounded edge of a table, resulted in a cracked wing. So I moved to my current method.

[mclarkson]

Roughing in the layout of the components. The mono-block 3D puzzle approach worked so well for the last plane that I'm going to try it again.

[mclarkson]

Ordered my parts from Headsup today:

• HURC 2712-17 Outrunner Brushless Electric Motor
• Emax Budget 18 Amp Brushless Motor ESC
• 4x 8g EMAX ES08A Sub Micro Servo
• 2x 6" SERVO EXTENSIONS
• Prop Adapter for 3.0mm shaft - collet type - small size
• GWS 8060 Propellers TWO BLACK 8" Slow Fly Props

[mclarkson]

Getting ready to cut out the compartments for the various components.

Did a quick test assembly to get a feel for the size and see what it's gonna look like.

[Fishbonez]

Wow that looks very impressive I think you ar e going to have a blast. Piere is going to be very jealouse of this one and your moving a long at a great pace. I am eager to see how you hook up elevons for I have never seen it in a triplane before.

[mclarkson]

Originally Posted by Fishbonez

I am eager to see how you hook up elevons for I have never seen it in a triplane before.

So am I!

[mclarkson]

After spending several days staring at parts and trying to decide how best to proceed, I've decided that the cabane struts are the key to the build, so I've built and installed them.

The cabanes and wing struts are made from 'craft sticks' - three per strut, as the sticks weren't long enough by themselves and I had to cut them apart and re-glue them in a longer configuration.

The cabanes are 1/2" longer than the wing struts, and will protrude through the bottom of the lower wing so I can build something to attach the wing from beneath. The landing gear will also attach to the bottom of the cabanes.

The cabanes are glued to the inside of the fuselage skin at a 64 degree angle, and fit in grooves cut into the mono-blok.

[Fishbonez]

Looks like she is coming around nicely.

[mclarkson]

It's so slow, it's killing me. I spend about 3 days staring and vacillating and agonizing for every hour or two of actual building.

My measuring/cutting skills are pretty poor, so I'm always nervous about big commitments like mounting the wings.

[Fishbonez]

Originally Posted by mclarkson

My measuring/cutting skills are pretty poor, so I'm always nervous about big commitments like mounting the wings.

Trust me your skills out weigh mine by far. I am the guy whi gets confused between 16th and 8ths and even 32nds at time and find myself counting lines LOL
As a very wiseman on wattflyer,Roadking or Joe, once told me. Take your time and go slow you will be glad you did as you already knkow the experience gained from it is priceless

[earthsciteach]

LOVE the looks of your model! I'm anxious to see the finished product!

[7car7]

Your plane is really great looking, thanks for sharing it. You should post this in the WWI section.

Have you decided how to join up your interplane struts? My suggestion, if I may, is to make it one single strut, from lower wing to the top wing. I have a Great Planes Fokker DR1, and the interplane struts are a joke trying to keep stuff aligned being that they're separate. I'm making new 1 piece ones soon.

[mclarkson]

Thanks!

I'm definitely making both sets of structs 1-piece. They'll pierce the middle wing, entirely.

I'm currently planning on using control horns to bolt the struts to the wing.

[mclarkson]

A few more shots. Currently working on the upper fuse - turtle deck and battery cover, as well as figuring out how to mount the wings.

I've brought the cabanes all the way out the bottom to give me room to work up some kind of detachable mounting for the wing and the LG.

[mclarkson]

A little more work while I try to figure out the wings.

[7car7]

Coming along nicely.

[mclarkson]

Working out my aileron setup. It seems like it should work.

[Fishbonez]

Looks very cool

[offtom]

Plane is looking good.


Pilot needs a scarf though