Yea! The Airdrome Sopwith Baby passed and was granted its airworthiness certificate today! My second homebuilt, a modest practical flying replica of the WW1 Sopwith Baby version.
Historically, the last 70 Parnall-built Sopwith Babies were built as landplanes, and known as Hamble Baby Converts. Although a few were deployed forward as observation planes, most were used as trainers. This Airdrome replica takes advantage of the base Tabloid aircraft wide fuselage to give an a WW1 scout that is very comfortable plane for larger modern pilots like me at 6'2" and 250 pounds.
N8184 is marked as a 1917 operational Naval aircraft. The engine is a 110 Rotec with a Culver climb prop. Interestingly, the Airdrome plane replicates the original wheel aileron control and has several original and reproduction cockpit fittings. Cockpit - note wheel, original altimeter and compass, replica Tampier quadrant and ASI.
More soon! Moving in a week or so to the test field for first hops. Hope it flies ok!!! And, hope I can fly it!!
The Airdrome Sopwith Tabloid, Schneider and Baby are basically the same airframe, differing in small details and engine. The length is 22'10" with a wingspan of about 25'8".
Airdrome Baby N8184 weighed in at 890 pounds, and will carry a crew weight of 400 pounds with a MAC at 32% - easy peasy.. The weight of the Rotec before the wings allows a much higher payload after. N8184 is a bit heavier due to an extra layer of paint (we changed colors) at about 30 lbs and lots of detais such as a cast metal Lewis gun replica.
The series can be set up as a side-by side or one very comfortable big guy (yea me!). The original Baby config was a single seat with a wheel and rudder bar, which is what we used. It is a bit of a Pup for big guys. I still have yet to do the ash landing skids, and a few other details, but she has a CoA and I am very happy.
Robert Baslee, who always likes flashy artwork planes better than my drab kites, remarked: "That's sure a generic WW1 looking plane". Well, that's exactly what I was going for...
Thanks to so many folks that made this possible! .