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Northern Aeroplane Workshops Camel Update

Story added 19th June 2007 by Fred

Sopwith Camel, June 2007. Note the front engine plate (coloured green) concealed by the front cowling section, the much smaller rear engine plate (black), the rudder bar and control column. The two tanks are immediately behind the seat. With the addition of the 130 hp Clerget engine, twin Vickers guns and pilot, the concentration of weight within the first seven feet of the fuselage not only gave the Camel its hunched and squat appearance but greatly contributed to the aircraft’s unique manoeuvrability. It also made the Camel notoriously dangerous to novices.

One of the Camel’s two .303 Vickers machine guns. These original  water-cooled “ground” versions have been deactivated and converted to “air” versions by cutting air-cooling slats into the casings

The Shuttleworth Collection has supported Northern Aeroplane Workshops since its formation in March 1973 by John Langham of Harrogate. Formed as an educational charity to perpetuate the skills of constructing wood, wire and linen aircraft, Langham believed that complete amateurs could, with skilled supervision, build airworthy examples of historic aircraft from original manufacturers' drawings.

From the Collection came a Clerget rotary engine and the promise to finance all materials and when Langham unearthed a full set of Sopwith Triplane factory drawings, his group of enthusiastic amateurs were in business.

Led by Eric Barraclough, who worked for the Comper, Heston and Auster aircraft companies in the 1930s and 40s, the voluntary members set about construction. Sir Thomas Sopwith, the founder of the original aircraft company, supported the unique project throughout his later life and honoured the Society when he decreed that Northern Aeroplane Workshops' triplane should be considered a 'late production' example. This is reflected in the manufacturer's plate in the cockpit being No 153

The triplane (G-BOCK but usually referred to as DIXIE as its colour scheme replicates aircraft N6290 which flew with No 8 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service) was delivered to the Collection in June 1990. The original 130hp Clerget engine was installed by Collection engineers and DIXIE has been a regular display aircraft since her maiden flight on 10 April 1992.

As the triplane came to completion and work began to run out for the volunteers, the Collection financed a second Northern Aeroplane Workshops project; a Bristol M.1C (G-BWJM). Originally started by NAW’s Jack Smallwood as a static example for Bristol City Museum, the monoplane replicates aircraft C4918 of No 72 Squadron, RFC in 1917. Delivered to Old Warden in October 1997 and fitted with an original 110hp Le Rhône engine, the aircraft has displayed since her first flight on 25 September 2000.

Since early 1995 the organisation has been hand-building an airworthy Sopwith Camel for the Collection. The fuselage and empennage are assembled and the wings and undercarriage are well advanced. NAW’s current target is to attach the wings to the fuselage by the end of 2007. The Sopwith Camel can be presently seen on display at the Skopos Classic Car Museum in Batley, West Yorkshire. The museum houses historic cars and motorcycles in an ever-changing display. Open seven days a week the museum and can be contacted on 01924 444423.

Several years ago a feasibility study, in conjunction with the Airco D.H.2 Research Group and the Collection, successfully determined that building a D.H.2 was practicable. This will include the production of all drawings – the originals are lost – and building an airworthy example for the Collection of this famous 'pusher' is now NAW’s fourth project.

Northern Aeroplane Workshops can be contacted on the following e-mail: r.hendrie4@ukonline.co.uk

(Please note that we are unable to supply aircraft drawings).