solentlife

Just received the 1520mm DWH / HK Sopwith Camel. I have been eyeing this model for a long time after my pal built the comparable Fokker DR1. Our idea being to create a Dogfight pair.

Finally its arrived - but of course - I'm still recovering from spinal surgery - so I have to suffer that itch that cannot be scratched ... will have to wait ...

https://hobbyking.com/en_us/sopwith-...it-1520mm.html

While waiting .. I am considering what motive power to use .... my spare 4250 - I gave to my mate for his DR1 ... and have a couple of 5055 's sitting idle. I know the model needs substantial extra weight up front .. some are having to add 1 - 2lbs ..... crazy.
The model is reckoned for :Specs:
Wingspan: 1520mm
Fuselage Length: 1020mm
Flying Weight: 2700~3300g
Motor: 3530~4250 or gas/nitro equivalent
ESC: 40~60A suitable for up to 6S
Propeller: 14~15 inch
Battery: 2600~4000mah 5~6S

Required:
1 x 3530~4250 Brushless outrunner motor or gas/nitro equivalent
1 x 40~60A 6S electronic speed controller
4 x 17~40g servos (5 required if using gas/nitro engine)
1 x 14 or 15-inch propeller
1 x 2600~4000mah 5-6S LiPo battery
Textured covering or a good quality film covering

The spec'd motor selection IMHO opinion is part of the problem ... bit on the light side. Its actually causing me to consider my 15cc RCGF gasoline engine ... but for easier installation ... I have a 5055 400kv motor sitting idle. With 6S pac k and a 16 - 17" prop .....
And sound system ??

quorneng

Nice but both planes have far from scale length noses. Such a pity.

The Bentley & Clerget rotaries were seriously heavy. At 397 lbs making up about 40% of the empty airframe weight.
You would have to use a big brushless and put all the LiPo around the motor in the cowl to match that.

solentlife

I had similar problem with the Pilot Nieuport 28 many years ago ,,,,, which I managed 8th place in Southern Area Scale comp (Beaulieu UK).



And Boy oh Boy ... what a ground looper !! Trying to get her to track straight was a devils job.

I've been going through videos / forums regarding this DW Camel and many people shorten the cowl. I understand why - but then you read horror stories of amount of corrective weight increase. I shall stick with the non-scale nose length and try sort with heavy motor and lipo.

Seems two areas to consider :

CoG and how much extra weight up front.
and
Wheel placement to reduce nose-overs.

I've been scouring online for 3D printed additions ... Pilot ... Guns ... Wheel covers .... Dummy engine etc.

3D parts ............

Vickers MG :

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4624542

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4367733

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3657807

there are more ...

Dummy engine :

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4303197

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2085491

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4281697

Wheels :

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4065591

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3996183

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4353438

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4882611

With the wheels ... my thoughts are to thin the 3D versions down to just wheel covers and glue to the kit wheels.

Pilot :

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3048798

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3723933

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2971170

Here is a complete 3D Camel ... that parts could be taken and scaled as necessary :

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4814692

solentlife

While printing dummy engine - 3D machine threw a wobbly ...... but finally got it fixed.




(2 min 56 sec)

All fixed and printing back on ..

While printing - I often search through for various info on subject of the moment and I find it interesting that engines fitted to Camel were not all Clerget 9B's .... but Le Rhoned 9's and Bentley AR1's + BR1's also made it on to Camels ... and a few Gnome for good measure.

Here's a video showing the torque effect pilots had to contend with ... and video also explains the mag switch 3 - 6 - 9 firing to change engine rpm ...