First Flight Airdrome Aeroplanes Sopwith Tabloid

[Rob W]

On June 23d, 2012, Harvey Cleveland masterfully piloted our Airdrome Tabloid on its first flight.

The plane flew great! It is powered by a Valley Engineering 115HP 2332cc VW with a 2.47:1 Reduction drive swinging a 90" propeller. Empty Weight 791pounds. Wing span 26'. Gross Weight ~1320pounds.

This is a two seat side by side aircraft that represents a 1913-1915 Sopwith Tabloid. It is offered as a kit from Airdrome Aeroplanes and can be built in one of three variants: 1) Sopwith Tabloid (race/sport plane) 2) Sopwith Schneider (WWI Naval Scout aircraft) 3) Sopwith Baby (WWI Scout aircraft).

http://www.airdromeaeroplanes.com/














Our aircraft is painted to represent a Royal Naval Air Service 1915 Sopwith SS3 variant of the Tabloid.


Rob Waring & Shelly Wells
Great War Aerodrome
In the Air, Over There...

[Rob W]

a few more pictures:

[Rob W]

And some photos of the original we are representing...
SS3 1205 on Tenedos in 1915






and our little representation:

[Chad Jensen]

Congrats Rob!! That is fantastic news! This picture is just pure joy to look at...

[Rob W]

Here is a video of the first flight

[Bill Greenwood]

Great looking plane. It sure takes off in a short distance.
May I suggest that the steep nose up climb out after takeoff may not be a good idea. Without flying speed you are really relying on the engine , which is not an standard aviation one. If it should quit when the nose is high and the airspeed low, you could quickly be in a stall/spin before you could get the nose down to gain flying/gliding speed.

By the way, I have never flown such a plane and don't know speeds for it or anything specific.