Sopwith Camel Build #1

[@jbl7092]

Finally, someone is filming a real time Aerodrome Aeroplanes build that isn't filmed in fast forward. Been waiting a long time to see one of their replica aircraft kits come together. Thank you sir for doing this. I just subscribed.

[@scottmatthews5280]

Yes I was disappointed no one had done it on the net yet for me to watch !

[@clewis4476]

Scott, I'm a first time kit builder who has purchased the Nieuport 17 Full Scale from Airdrome Airplanes. I agree with your comment regarding Robert Baslee always being available and answering basic questions to assist in backfilling my lack of kit building knowledge. Your video's are a huge help in filling in a lot of additional issues and area's of construction knowledge "rookie" Kitplane owners like myself find greatly valuable. Joining the local EAA Chapter has helped alot too. Thanks for the video's Mate - keep 'em coming.

[@scottmatthews5280]

Awesome thank you

[@stevemowat4294]

I’m sure you will turn this into a great airplane Scott. Looking forward to following the build 😊

[@scottmatthews5280]

Take my time it will work out

[@DIYPackraft]

It’s off to a rocky start, but I hope any disappointment you’re feeling will soon be replaced with the satisfaction of making progress. As someone who runs a kit-based business myself, I know that customers are only happy when the materials, instructions, and customer service are all good. Hopefully they’ll at least answer your questions quickly!

[@scottmatthews5280]

All good, unpacked and questions get answered quickly. A lot of discrepancies though.

[@markwebb8013]

Looks like a challenge that I am sure your up for, should be fun and after it's done won't look as bad a job as first thought, always wanted to build one of their kits so I will live vicariously thru your build, keep up the great work and videos 👍.

[@scottmatthews5280]

Thanks Mark cheers

[@cavu22]

My Camel has a steel fuselage frame and is painted the same green as the exterior and look good.My Instrument panel I re-did with a laser cut aluminum sheet that was laminated with wood venier. Much lighter and nicer looking.I can send ya some pics if ya want.

[@scottmatthews5280]

Sounds great!

[@jaybee6143]

Good to see a start after all of the waiting, Scott. The Sopwith Camel built at Caboolture is now flying and performing well.

[@scottmatthews5280]

Oh fantastic great to hear that

[@scotthumphreys1789]

Glad it finally showed up Scott. Looking forward to watching your progress Maybe olive drab for the fuselage?

[@scottmatthews5280]

Thanks Scott cheers

[@marttimattila9561]

Nice to mention that Zenair is a bit jealous, planes got soul.

[@scottmatthews5280]

Certainly has.

[@panamericaco]

For 13 years I have dreamed of building an Aerodrome Airplane but after seeing those sh!te welds I think I'll pass and go for a Kitfox which was always my other favorite. I can't weld much but I can weld better than that. I always wondered about these planes, so little to find for build videos. Thanks for showing it as it is and not sweet talking it like many KZbinrs do with their projects.

[@scottmatthews5280]

Thanks, call it as I see it. Yes I struggled to find good information on these kits. You can do a built up and rivières fuselage which I would do if I did it again.

[@tcepilot]

So exciting! Think I’m going to start building a N.17 from them later this year.

[@scottmatthews5280]

Awesome that would be a fun project.

[@donwtsn]

Good to see it all kick off mate. It’s definitely going to be a different (much more vague) building experience than the zenith! It’d be really nice to have a look at one, or something similar to get some guidance about the build. Or a forum perhaps. I reckon black tubes in the cockpit area would be less distracting

[@scottmatthews5280]

Thanks Don, might need some forming advice on the Hump especially in the future. It’s all new design to learn with different techniques to get the same result.

[@donwtsn]

@@scottmatthews5280 happy to help out in any way mate. Take your time and understand the end result before you start. Good fun!

[@mhilderbrand7693]

Hopefully there are forums for this kit that may help? This build just got more interesting after all the comments made in this video 😀. Can’t wait to see the build begin! Have fun!

[@scottmatthews5280]

Yep, Zenith is like Lego block construction. Challenging this one

[@johnnysiam-007]

Good luck with that Scott, a lot of scratching the head

[@scottmatthews5280]

Yep, basically scratch building

[@philspence3093]

Really love watching your builds. Good luck

[@scottmatthews5280]

Cheers Phil appreciate it thanks

[@warrenlovell3919]

Fuselage weld looks pretty bad. What do you think?

[@scottmatthews5280]

It’s not pretty, but it will hold. Still stronger thee see n rivets and quite a few flying.

[@noahjbarr]

Good to see you have it Scott, are you going to cover the framing of the main plane body or leave exposed (plywood/tin etc)?

[@scottmatthews5280]

Plywood cheers

[@noahjbarr]

@@scottmatthews5280 Was it included in the kit (didn’t see any) I suppose you would have to cut your own to fit. Also what brand is the kit? Thanks.

[@williamnorval200]

Hi Scott. I’ve got the camel in a flat pack up here in Townsville. Cracked it open end of July. I’ll start shortly. Are you with the SAAA for the assistance and inspections?

[@scottmatthews5280]

Hi, I lived in Kirwan for a few years loved TVL. No, I do most of it myself and get another LAME to do the 3 or 4 periodic inspections. You can basically build the camel up to ready to fly minus covering then get it inspected. What engine are you going for?

[@williamnorval200]

@@scottmatthews5280 I’ve put down my deposit with Paul for the R3600. I opted for the full aluminum frame, so looking forward to the joy of assembling that stack of pipes. Been a bit hesitant/intimidated to start though. Intent is to paint it in 4SQN colors. I’m former Army Aviation fixed and rotor wing.

[@scottmatthews5280]

@@williamnorval200 jump in and start. Find a local source for 6061 tube then you can relax a bit. Feel free to ask if I can help.

[@williamnorval200]

Thanks Scott. Can I DM you via FB? I have a few questions before I kick off.

[@scottmatthews5280]

No problem

[@williamditcham2718]

Our Sopwtih Baby kit has just arrived in Fremantle, hopefully we can share information during our builds!

[@scottmatthews5280]

We should of shipped them together!

[@williamditcham2718]

@@scottmatthews5280 What prop are you getting...we could share shipping from Culver if you are going that route!

[@scottmatthews5280]

Trying to get hold of culver now.

[@kengreaves]

Hi Rowdy I'm very interested to see how this project evolves what a task DR 1 and Camel mmm

[@scottmatthews5280]

I’ll get there Ken, how to eat an elephant, one bite at a time

[@aviationnnick]

Hey Scott! Nice video. If I may, would you recommend this to someone with no experience in kit or model building?

[@scottmatthews5280]

If you had no experienced help or would be very difficult as a first aircraft. I’m always up for giving it a go, but these kits would be challenging fir a first time builder without assistance if some sort. Don’t want to turn you off having a go, but maybe a zenith or sonex to start with.

[@aviationnnick]

@@scottmatthews5280 yeah that's what I assumed. I would love to own one of these but I do not think kit building will be something I'd enjoy. Thanks for the reply!

[@barnabyandanthonysofficial1497]

what's the capacity of the fuel tank?

[@scottmatthews5280]

15 gals I believe

[@peteporpora1630]

I used to work for a company that built fishing trawlers. After we got done building one, the draftsman would come out and measure the boat and draw the blue prints from that. Might be what happened with your airplane, they built the prototype and measured it for the plans. One day a customer came in and wanted another boat exactly like the first one. We had never actually worked from blueprints. The second boat took 50% longer than the first boat to build.

[@scottmatthews5280]

Sounds very similar. Build is going well just not much guidance

[@WarblesOnALot]

G'day, Um... Golly gosh... Gee, darn, Shucks...! A bloke I used to be friends with "scratch built" several Aeroplanes, including a Carbon Dragon, and a Zenith CH-701, as well as an EF-7 (?) {Tailless Swept Hang Glider Wing with Tip-Rudders - all atop a Pusher-powered Tricycle, and an almost-finished (Volmer Jensen) VJ-24 'SunFun', which I bought as a 22-Hp "e" version..., redesigned a bit, rebuilt a bit, added bits to, replaced things, and got it to take me Levitating for half a dozen hours - before crashing while trying to take off Downwind in a stupidly short Paddock. (My fault ; PIC....!). So, I sense your Disappointment upon Discovering that your Sopwith Camel Kit Is, yes, indeed - a Kit..., But it's almost a Bit of Shit, When compared to an Actual Kit...; Like the one which You bought from Zenith, and then duly ENJOYED the Building Thereof... As a latecoming Observer... Now, one Underconstumbles how very hard you're having to work, to Compensate for the Deficiencies in what "Aerodrome Pty Ltd" has Shipped out of the Excited Status of Norte ArmedmeriKano. As a bloke by the name (dropping ) of Bill Moyes used to mention, Repeatedly...; "When AmeriKans are doing Busyness..., then They have NO 'Mates'...; It's just(ifiably ?) How they ARE..., And it's WHO they actuarily Are..., Behaviorally squeakin' ; In REAL Life...!" Take it easy. Stay safe. ;-p Ciao !

[@scottmatthews5280]

Thanks

[@cavu22]

YIKES. That first impression of the kit is very disappointing .I have a full scale Camel ( Repliacraft Plans ) and love it. .I was thinking of a AA Dream Classic ,but maybe not now. Best wishes withe build.

[@scottmatthews5280]

It’s basically a materials kit.

[@marttimattila9561]

Surprice that fuselage is weldet Steel not Alu tube with cussets and rivets.

[@scottmatthews5280]

That is the option availble

[@russellhulley8268]

The quality seems lacking for a kit plane. I would sandblast the entire fuselage, check and redo any suspect welds. From there give it a quality prime job so the skins can adhere properly

[@scottmatthews5280]

Yes going with epoxy primer, fabric will stick to anything. End result will be great

[@bashkillszombies]

The problem with shipping in Australia now is that half the people don't speak English and the ones who do have no concept of pride in their work, or honour. They'll lie straight to your face and not even remotely feel guilty, then they'll look at you like YOU are the idiot for expecting some integrity or honesty in trade.

[@scottmatthews5280]

It’s tough.

[@abundantYOUniverse]

Hard to believe they would send a kit in that bad of a shape from the factory.

[@scottmatthews5280]

Call it how I see it thanks

[@gregbevpriest7623]

Glad that you got something nostalgic that you love which is halve the battle in driving your enthusiasm and the project forward. IMO its the sort of aircraft that will bite you one day as google states it has some dangerous inherent aerodynamic issues. Not my sort of aircraft....ugly and puny looking. I thought that after building your lovely Cruzer you would have ordered say a Vans RV 14A or similar. As they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Good luck in sorting out the parts and then building it.

[@scottmatthews5280]

Cheers Greg, hope you get your Zenith finished soon.

[@russellesimonetta9071]

Zinc chromate!!!

[@scottmatthews5280]

Cancer!