Author Topic: 1/72 Sopwith Swallow & Scooter  (Read 1217 times)

Offline enathan

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1/72 Sopwith Swallow & Scooter
« on: February 26, 2020, 01:50:32 AM »
Czech manufacturers Kovozávody Prostějov have added two interesting subjects to their range of WWI aircraft, the Sopwith Swallow and Scooter monoplanes. They are announced as "coming soon" but are already available on Ebay.   
« Last Edit: February 26, 2020, 05:44:23 AM by enathan »

Offline RAGIII

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Re: 1/72 Sopwith Swallow & Scooter
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2020, 08:49:48 AM »
Really nice releases for the 1/72nd guys! Both look excellent.
RAGIII
"A man has to know his limitations": Harry Callahan

"Don't slop it on" Lynda Geisler

Offline AndRoby67

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Re: 1/72 Sopwith Swallow & Scooter
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2020, 12:16:29 AM »
Thank you for the advice!
A welcomed addiction, I think I will buy the Scooter!
Roberto

Offline Mike Norris

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Re: 1/72 Sopwith Swallow & Scooter
« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2020, 01:41:06 AM »
Well a nice surprise from them and unusual aircraft.
Here's an extract from my PDF build log - Wingnut Wings Camel converted to the Sopwith 'Swallow (1:32 scale).



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In June 1918, the Sopwith Aviation Company designed an unarmed parasol monoplane, based on the Sopwith ‘Camel’.
The aircraft was known the Sopwith Monoplane No.1, but was also known as the Sopwith ‘Scooter’ (to scoot was to move around fast).
The aircraft was built for the personal use of the ‘Sopwith’ test pilot Harry Hawker and was based on the their current Sopwith ‘Camel’, but with a single wing mounted just above the fuselage, but with limited space between the fuselage and the underside of the wing.
The wing was supported by conventional cabane struts and also braced by RAF streamlined bracing wires, all of which were attached to the lower fuselage and a pyramid shaped strut assembly above the wing.
The ‘Scooter’ was powered by a single 130 hp (97 kW) ‘Clerget’ 9B rotary engine.
The ‘Scooter’ was used as a runabout and aerobatic aircraft by Harry Hawker and was able to demonstrate excellent maneuverability.
Eventually it was used as the basis for a fighter design, originally known as the Monoplane No.2, and later named the Sopwith ‘Swallow’.
Like the ‘Scooter’, the ‘Swallow’ used the fuselage of a ‘Camel’, but it had a larger, slightly swept wing of greater wingspan and area.
Like the ‘Scooter’ the wing was mounted above the fuselage, but higher, to allow the pilot to access the two synchronized Vickers machine guns, which were fitted further apart than normal, again to give the pilot better forward visibility.
For the same reason the ‘hump’ in the forward cockpit decking (hence the name ‘Camel’) was not used.
The engine was also changed to that of a 110 hp (82 kW) ‘Le Rhône’ engine.
Also the traditional oval shaped access panels on each side of the forward fuselage were omitted.
Twelve strengthening ribs were fitted across the centre section on the upper surface of the wing.

The ‘Swallow’ made its maiden flight in October 1918, and was delivered to RAF Martlesham Heath on 28 October 1918 for official testing.
One considered role for the ‘Swallow’ was as a shipboard fighter.
Engine problems delayed testing of the ‘Swallow’, but even when the engine problems were resolved, the ‘Swallow’ proved to have a lower overall performance than the then ‘Le Rhône’ engine powered ‘Sopwith’ ‘Camel’.
Testing of the ‘Swallow’ continued after the cessation of hostilities but by May 1919 all interest in the ‘Swallow’ was dropped.
The fate of the ‘Swallow’ is not known, but presumably it was scrapped.
However the original ‘Scooter’ remained in use, and was given the civil registration K-135 and later to G-EACZ.
In 1921, Harry Hawker purchased and flew the ‘Scooter’.
Harry Hawker died on the 12th July 1921 in a flying accident at Hendon, after which the ‘Scooter’ was put into storage.
It was refurbished in 1925 and was used for aerobatic displays and for racing until 1927 when it was scrapped.
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Model is on Gallery 2 of my site (link below),

Mike

Sopwith 'Scooter'





Sopwith 'Swallow'


« Last Edit: March 13, 2020, 01:35:31 AM by Mike 'Sandbagger' Norris »


Retired - 27 years RAF service then 20 years Military Aerospace Technical Author/editor.