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Each year since 1989 Airdrome Aeroplanes has introduced a new aircraft to
the public at Sun N Fun, this year was no exception. While it is not
likely that Robert Baslee of Airdrome Aeroplanes is looking to take his
newly introduced Sopwith off from an aircraft carrier, for those looking
for a WWI replica fighter aircraft with "docile flying characteristics"
his plane fits the bill!
According to Robert he has had the idea of building a full scale
Sopwith in the back of his mind for some time now, so when a customer
asked him whether "he would be interested in doing a kit for one" he
decided to design and build a prototype.
90 days later the Airdrome Aeroplanes Sopwith was completed. (Robert
appears to be slowing down a bit, as he built 4 aircraft in 52 days for
the Fly Boys movie). Sun N Fun was the Sopwith's first official
unveiling, and once back at the factory flight testing will begin.
The plane is powered by a Rotec Radial R 2800 engine putting out 110
horsepower. This should give the Sopwith outstanding performance as it
weighs about 60% of the original with the same horsepower.
Airdrome has
been using the engine on it's kits for 4 years. The engine burns just
over 5 gallons of fuel an hour. According to Robert the plane should
take off in about 3 seconds, in about 275 feet, with a 1,000 feet per
minute climb rate.
Like all of the other aircraft Airdrome offers the Sopwith features
aluminum tube, gusset, rivet together construction, covered in standard
aircraft covering materials. The craft should take between 350 and 400
hours to build.
All welded and machined parts come pre-done from the factory, and
according to Robert "if you have basic hand tools, can drill a hole and
install a rivet, you have the skills necessary to build an Airdrome
Aeroplane airplane."
Robert reports a high completion rate on his kits, with most builders
taking between a year and eighteen months to complete their project.
This is aided by the fact that the factory offers a builders support
program where a customer can work at the factory for three days and have
his or her tail feathers done and the fuselage up and on the landing
gear.
All of his kits qualify as Experimental Lightsport Aircraft and can
be flown with a Light Sport pilots license. |
