Brooklands Sopwith Camel flying at Booker Airfield in 1989

The Sopwith Camel replica at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome has 160 HP Gnome rotary engine making it a littl eoverpowered. That plane is probably quite tricky on takeoff. If I'm not mistaken, you had to position the rudder all the way to the left on takeoff to counteract the aircraft's tendency to roll to the right.

I would love to fly a sopwith camel but with a modern engine, I hear that the rotary engine, because it spun with the propeller, tried to pull the plane in that direction which mad it tricky to fly.

The camel had switchable magneto's, you could select full power, half power or blip which was as close to an idle as you could get. The magneto would switch on and off to keep the engine running at low speeds, hence the rev and die sound of the engine.

yea i know that much XD, but this one sounds like it has throttle control, most of them had the full, half quarter, and i here even 8th speed, and you use the blip to keep it idling, by engaging and dis ingaging the ignition.

I think it depends on which engine is fitted and this looks like the Bentley BR2, which does have a throttle.

Fantastic video, sexy plane. I'm amazed at the STOL performance of this plane. All of the simulations I have tried really drag out takeoffs and landings in comparison to what the plane could clearly realistically do. Sweet vid!

Glad you liked it, it was something special to watch. you may also like to have a look at my in cockpit footage of the Brooklands Vimy flying at Oxford.

Andy

No technical know how, but an interest in WW1, have you guys read 'Scorpio Rising' or 'Winged Victory'? These aircraft accounted for massive enemy losses, but only if the pilot survived the first flight. They were v difficult to fly, but if you got the hang of it, it was the most agile 'plane at the time. Pilots used to use it for 'red cap' hunting for fun. I was fortunate enough to visit the Shuttleworth collection when T Sopwith celebrated his 100th birthday.

Really nice of you to come back on this and much appreciated! Lots of people on here get confused about rotaries (you much less than most!). I was equally puzzled until I got down and built the working quarter scale Bentley BR2 rotary, during which everything (almost) became clear. So I now feel this terrible need to set everyone straight. Rather childish really! Good luck with the Pup!

Sorry Aitchgee,
Brain fade on my part, I totally messed up . . the Le Rhone's are definitely 4 stroke engines with a single push rod up the front alternately closing and opening the inlet and exhaust valves.
The engine I should have mentioned was the Clerget . . not the Mono, which you are also totally correct also has the single pushrod arrangement.
My 'umblest apologies Sir !
I'm not worthy . . I'm not worthy !