Author Topic: Gordon Bennett! RNAS Sopwith Tabloid 1214  (Read 14313 times)

Offline RLWP

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Gordon Bennett! RNAS Sopwith Tabloid 1214
« on: March 08, 2021, 11:03:13 PM »

OK, here's hoping this doesn't become another unfinished project...



RNAS 1214 was built as one of two aeroplanes for the 1914 Gordon Bennet race of 1914, which was cancelled. They were taken into RNAS service alongside standard Tabloids

While she was in France, she got fitted with an unsynchronised Lewis gun on the starboard side of the fuselage firing through a propeller fitted with deflector wedges.

This is where I have got to so far:











Richard
Hendon for flying - the fastest way to the ground!

Offline Alexis

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Re: Gordon Bennett! RNAS Sopwith Tabloid 1214
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2021, 11:18:35 PM »
Hello Richard ,

Very nice start with construction of the fuselage and wings ! Following along  :)


Alexis
Hurra ! , Ich Leben Noch
Body and life is a vessel we use to travel the planet . Femininity is the gift , The miracle comes from what we do with it .

Offline RAGIII

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Re: Gordon Bennett! RNAS Sopwith Tabloid 1214
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2021, 11:21:16 PM »
Excellent start Richard! It is great to see you back on a project. I will follow closely  8)
RAGIII
"A man has to know his limitations": Harry Callahan

"Don't slop it on" Lynda Geisler

Offline ColonelKrypton

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Re: Gordon Bennett! RNAS Sopwith Tabloid 1214
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2021, 01:15:51 AM »
Nice start Richard. The Tabloid was always one my favorites, particularly on floats 

I am guessing 1/32 scale judging by the scale along the bottom of your cutting board?

I like the structure of how you are building the fuselage. I wish I had thought of something similar when I started my 1/48 Ponnier D.III

cheers, Graham

Offline RLWP

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Re: Gordon Bennett! RNAS Sopwith Tabloid 1214
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2021, 03:17:21 AM »
Yes, 1/32. And as this isn't my first scratchbuild, I've already made fuselages in several different ways - I've still not found the perfect way!

Richard
Hendon for flying - the fastest way to the ground!

Offline lone modeller

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Re: Gordon Bennett! RNAS Sopwith Tabloid 1214
« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2021, 04:43:04 AM »
This will be an interesting project to follow. Have you seen Bob Rahlinger's build of a Tabloid on this site? Yours will make an interesting comparison for building techniques.

Stephen.

Offline kensar

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Re: Gordon Bennett! RNAS Sopwith Tabloid 1214
« Reply #6 on: March 09, 2021, 05:28:25 AM »
You're off to a fine start, Richard.  Will follow with interest.

Offline ColonelKrypton

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Re: Gordon Bennett! RNAS Sopwith Tabloid 1214
« Reply #7 on: March 09, 2021, 06:57:11 AM »
Yes, 1/32. And as this isn't my first scratchbuild, I've already made fuselages in several different ways - I've still not found the perfect way!

Seems we are always in search of the Holy Grail but then it's the journey that is always the most interesting part.

cheers, Graham

Offline RLWP

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Re: Gordon Bennett! RNAS Sopwith Tabloid 1214
« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2021, 07:05:58 PM »
Thanks all

A little more progress:



The rear fuselage is scribed 0.010" styrene sitting on a former at the front. The rear is flat where it meets the tailplane

And this is the benefit of the cabane struts being a part of the fuselage sides:



I will be able to use small pins to locate the top wing, the lower wing will either be self supporting, or hang from the upper wing via the struts. Far better than balancing the upper wing on a bunch of small sticks

I've solved the wheels problem after discussion with Costas at Gaspatch. We've both agreed the wheels in the picture of 1214 are probably 700mm Palmer Cords, so I've ordered a set of 3D printed ones from Gaspatch

So far, so good!

Richard
Hendon for flying - the fastest way to the ground!

Offline ermeio

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Re: Gordon Bennett! RNAS Sopwith Tabloid 1214
« Reply #9 on: March 10, 2021, 06:18:46 AM »
Very nice start for an interesting subject, Richard
I will follow with interest
er me

Offline Alexis

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Re: Gordon Bennett! RNAS Sopwith Tabloid 1214
« Reply #10 on: March 10, 2021, 07:39:32 AM »
I like your construction methods Richard , simple but yet very effective  :)


Alexis
Hurra ! , Ich Leben Noch
Body and life is a vessel we use to travel the planet . Femininity is the gift , The miracle comes from what we do with it .

Offline hrcoleman66

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Re: Gordon Bennett! RNAS Sopwith Tabloid 1214
« Reply #11 on: March 11, 2021, 07:15:10 AM »
Nice subject.

Where did you find your framing references?

Cheers,

Hugh

Offline RLWP

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Re: Gordon Bennett! RNAS Sopwith Tabloid 1214
« Reply #12 on: March 11, 2021, 07:38:53 AM »
Nice subject.

Where did you find your framing references?

Cheers,

Hugh

Hi Hugh,

Well...  I started with the Tabloid drawing in Windsock datafile 9, added stuff from the illustrations in Flight magazine (December 20, 1913) of the original two seater Tabloid, then made the rest up

There's a difference between the Tabloid and the Gordon Bennet racer because if I offer up a Lewis gun, I cannot get it to align with the framework properly. The picture shows the muzzle attached to the frame behind the engine, and the 'handle' at the back approximately level with the rear 'strut' frame. The Tabloid is longer than that

Still, near enough

Richard
Hendon for flying - the fastest way to the ground!

Offline RLWP

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Re: Gordon Bennett! RNAS Sopwith Tabloid 1214
« Reply #13 on: March 11, 2021, 08:20:30 AM »


The bottom wing has now been cut, the undersides of both wings have been cut through the styrene and balsa leaving just the upper skin. This allows the
outer panels to be positioned to provide the dihedral. The bottom wings are located on 0.8mm brass pins pushed into the balsa core

Also, I've fitted 0.005"skins to the cockpit sides to represent the metal panels. They are embossed to represent the fixing screws, not that it shows in that picture

Richard
Hendon for flying - the fastest way to the ground!

Offline Rookie

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Re: Gordon Bennett! RNAS Sopwith Tabloid 1214
« Reply #14 on: March 11, 2021, 08:52:11 PM »
Nice progress Richard, and I like the trestles too!

Willem