Airdrome Sopwith Camel

The Airdrome Sopwith Camel is an American amateur-built aircraft, designed and produced by Airdrome Aeroplanes, of Holden, Missouri. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1]

Airdrome Sopwith Camel
Role Amateur-built aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Airdrome Aeroplanes
Status In production (2011)
Number built 1 (2011)
Unit cost
US$13,495 (kit less engine and instruments, 2011)
Developed from Sopwith Camel

The aircraft is a full-scale replica of the First World War British Sopwith Camel fighter. The replica is built from modern materials and powered by modern engines.[1]

Design and development

The Airdrome Sopwith Camel features a strut-braced biplane layout, a single-seat open cockpit, fixed conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1]

The aircraft fuselage is made from welded 4130 steel tubing, covered in doped aircraft fabric. The Airdrome Sopwith Camel has a wingspan of 26.2 ft (8.0 m) and a wing area of 195 sq ft (18.1 m2). The standard engine used is the 150 hp (112 kW) four stroke Rotec R3600 radial engine. Building time from the factory-supplied kit is estimated at 450 hours by the manufacturer.[1][2]

Operational history

One example had been completed by December 2011.[1]

Specifications (Sopwith Camel)

Data from Kitplanes[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 26.2 ft (8.0 m)
  • Wing area: 195 sq ft (18.1 m2)
  • Empty weight: 943 lb (428 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,243 lb (564 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 18 U.S. gallons (68 L; 15 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotec R3600 nine cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke radial engine, 150 hp (110 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 85 mph (137 km/h, 74 kn)
  • Stall speed: 40 mph (64 km/h, 35 kn)
  • Range: 200 mi (320 km, 170 nmi)
  • Rate of climb: 675 ft/min (3.43 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 6.4 lb/sq ft (31 kg/m2)
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References
  1. Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 41. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  2. Airdrome Aeroplanes (n.d.). "Sopwith Camel". Archived from the original on 13 December 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
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