1/3 Scale Sopwith Triplane

[Paul Williams]

Alan is waiting for the balsa trees to grow for more supplies, but must admit looks very good so far.

[Alan Bithrey]

Great now I can hassle you here to How is the build coming along Alan

Is there no hiding?

Anyway, it's true I'm still waiting for more trees to grow.
I did think that I might go for an inspiration building trial assembly in the garden when the sun shines and the wind drops - I should be safe for weeks then.

Alan

[Shaun Gilbert]

Little steps anything and everything you do is a step forward no matter how small it is so just pick something you fancy doing. I have been making up the turn buckles for my pup and talk about tedious but I am getting there slowly. Just nipped out for a fag and in that time drilled out 2.5mm the 1/4" brass ready to tap left and right hand, it's 1 of 12 but 1/12th closer to all being drilled out now.

[Alan Bithrey]

I have been making up the turn buckles for my pup and talk about tedious but I am getting there slowly.

And rather fine they look too. Please feel free to post a photograph on my thread (and rustle up a couple of dozen for the Triplane )

Alan

[Shaun Gilbert]

I'm not sure I would like to make another set unless I really have to it's been a tedious task TBH

The fork end will go straight on the rigging plate on the interplane strut with the M2 machine screw. The fork is tapped M2 but I will put a lock nut on the end as a safety precaution, the other end I'm thinking just a hole for the rigging wire (bicycle gear inner) to go through then back on itself into a copper ferrule nipped up and soft soldered for safety. So far they are all made up with left and right hand threads so they actually work but I have only made the 1 brass end with hole as I'm not 100% certain it's the best approach but I'm liking it at the moment.

I have done nothing here you cant do yourself on your lil lathe Alan............... get turning

[Chris Lane]

It's the price of left hand M2 taps and die that is the biggest problem!

[Shaun Gilbert]

I used M2 for the cross drilling on the fork end the other threads are M3.

I got the L/H tap from China:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWNX:IT

for £6.80

The L/H die from Germany:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWNX:IT

£11.87

[Ken Bones]

Found a Tripe replica yesterday while working at White Waltham. I should be back there nxt week and will take a camera.

Bonzey

[Alan Hilton]

I saw it flying when I was driving down the M4 a while ago. I wondered where it was based

Alan

[Alan Bithrey]

Here are the bits so far, loosely arranged in the shape of an aeroplane with the aid of numerous clamps etc

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and enjoying a day out on display at the Dawn Patrol's recent Fly-In at the (wonderful) Stow Maries aerodrome.

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Hopefully it's booked in for Gaydon, so see you there.

Alan

[Alan Bithrey]

Well it's been a while since I did an update on here. The build progresses with an increased urgency - I've decided it's got to be flying this year so there's a challenge!

Most of the work done over recent months has been associated with rigging the beast. Having spent many, many hours studying the drawings of the real thing I came to the conclusion that the best way was to copy the way it was done at 1:1 scale. So, many drawings and much fret sawing of mild steel sheet has resulted in a means of holding it all together. Those that went to Gaydon last year might have noticed it nestling amongst its DP friends.

Anyway, here are some photographs ....

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[Alan Bithrey]

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[Philip Goff]

Alan,
A stunning piece of work, easily to museum standard, the tripe is a joy to behold.
Well done that man.

Regards Phil G.

[Mike Booth]

Outstanding

[Ken Bones]

As I have said on the other forum. ''Museum quality, will be a shame to fly it''

Bonzey

[Dave Parry]

Alan, a masterpiece that is for sure, I would love to feature this in the Journal if you haven’t already promised it to another mag.

[Alan Bithrey]

Thanks chaps for the kind comments. As long as Baldock Bonzy is happy with it's construction I'm OK legally!

Alan, a masterpiece that is for sure, I would love to feature this in the Journal if you haven’t already promised it to another mag.

You are alright Dave, it's not promised to another. I have an extensive (OK, long, it's been a while in the building!) build thread on RCMF with lot's of photographs.
As long as I don't have to do much as I'm far too busy trying to get it finished! It's got to be finished and flying this year ready for serious action in 2014.

Alan

[Dave Parry]

Hi Alan, great, it is not a problem, you finish it first and then we can look at a Journal article, it look like you are doing the right thing anyway by taking lot's of pictures, keep up the good work.

[Alan Bithrey]

It looks a little more like an aeroplane now but there's still a long way to go!

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You can get in (virtually) and see it from Captain Bob Little's perspective too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnvnWSO5y2Y

Alan

[ian redshaw]

Sure is a thing of beauty Alan, looking forward to seeing it at Stow Maries at the weekend

Ian.