Modelling World War 1

[zak]

Next something that will have to be scratch built.

Sopwith Baby

I have been doing some reading about the Royal Naval Air Station (R.N.A.S) at Hornsea in East Yorkshire. A visit to the local museum in Hornsea provided some information and so did the internet. The RNAS was based on Hornsea Mere – the largest natural fresh water body of water in Yorkshire I believe. Some of the buildings still exist and are in use as a café.
The RNAS operated two types of seaplane from here The Sopwith Baby and the Short 184.
Approximately 12 seaplanes were based here. They were used for coastal patrols and anti-submarine work.

The Short will have to be scratch built and so it seems will the Sopwith. The only kit in 1/48 scale was produced by Eduard, but I have been unable to locate one, I believe that they also did one in 1/72. I have also seen a 1/72 version as a vacuum formed model. There is also a card kit in 1/48 available and this may prove to be of some use.
Special Hobby produce a Sopwith Schneider in 1/48 scale and this is similar to the baby in many ways.

Many plans are available on the internet and above is one such, there are also a few books and publications, many of these seem very expensive and are no longer in print.

The Baby was a single seat fighting scout and was developed from the Schneider winner of 1914. The design of the original was modified by The Blackburn Aviation and Motor Company to accept the 130h.p  Le Clerget engine, Blackburn built 186  machines, some had the 110hp engine as well.
Wingspan 25ft, length 23ft and an all up weight of 1,715lb, it had an endurance of 2.5 hours. One bomb could be carried on anti-submarine patrols.

So it seems that scratch building will be the order of the day. I intend to start with the floats and see how it goes.



If you have an old Eduard one or anything else please let me know - cheers.

[zak]

I started with the floats and cut out and shaped a balsa core, this was made slightly undersize as it was than clad with a thin plastic card skim.
The lower picture shows the plastic card in place.

[zak]

Next the fuselage, this will be built up from plastic card, curved surfaces made by scoring the card. I intend to use a cowling from the spares box.
the cockpit was cut before assembly using a cork borer.

[Kiteman]

absolute magic!!!!!

[zak]

Plastic card wing.
Rib tapes from thin plastic card strips.

[zak]

Wings being attached, struts from 30 thou' plastic card.

[Kiteman]

Coming along nicely is that.....I am watching this closely and am very impressed.

[zak]

Wait until the wing warping starts, it usually starts as the temperature rises.

[zak]

I think my wings are a bit too far forward but its too late now, maybe if I build another it will improve. Rudder and tail plane constructed and added.
Floats added, rear float to still add.
Propeller from the spares box.

[zak]

I suppose that I have taken too many short cuts and this may have to be consigned to the back of the Bessoneau hangar - of which there were two at Hornsea.
Rear floats and some undercoat.

[Kiteman]

I agree with you about the wings, but nevertheless a very impressive scratch build and I am still jealous!

[zak]

While the undercoat is drying I have been investigating the Short 184 - also based at Hornsea and Bessoneau hangars, two of which were used for storage of aircraft. Then of course a beaching trolley or two will be required.
I have also now acquired a Sopwith Schneider in 1/48 from Special Hobby, this being the basis for the Baby. This hopefully means that I will get it right eventually!

[zak]

I am unhappy with the Sopwith baby and so will leave it alone for a while, or until inspiration strikes me. Meanwhile, I have been working on another Roden 1/48 scale kit, this is the Bristol F.2B Fighter, the decals transfers have already been given a coat of varnish, just in case.
I have not bored you with the build, but this is especially for Mr. Beesting - double rigged.

[Haddock]

Nice, but don't forget the fore and aft diagonals between the struts!!!!!
Haddock.

[zak]

Give me a chance, just keeping you updated.