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Petr Svoboda's 1 and 1/2 Strutter Project (85%Scale):
This Sopwith is a Two-Seater (R.F.C. Designation), or Sopwith Type 9400 (R.N.A.S. Designation), it made its appearance in December 1915. It was a trim biplane with single bays, and equal span wings. The center section struts consisted of steel tubes which were half the size of the outboard struts. Because of the shortness of the inboard struts, they had to be attached to the upper longerons of the fuselage rather than to the lower wing. This gave rise to the nickname '1 ½ Strutter'. The 1 ½ Strutter was the first British airplane to go into action with a synchronized Vickers gun for the pilot.
Petr's first airplane built was a replica of a Piper L 4-H the second was a replica of British Fighter SE-5a (originally commissioned in 1917). Petr's interest in these beautiful aircraft extends beyond construction to flying them at various air shows in simulated battle sequences. The construction of Petr's 1and ½ Strutter is well underway and he is due to receive the R2800 shortly. The excitement this project has generated is quite astonishing and we will be following progress closely. Shown on the left is an award for his construction of a replica of the British Fighter SE-5a. Click on the thumbnail to view full size pictures... Ailerons,
stabilizer and ribs: Fuselage
showing oil tank, fuel tank and Petr: Click on the thumbnails to view a full size picture... Petr
next to completed fuslage framework. Rotec Strutter Prop Trial
Engine Mount ... all fits: Boys
will be boys ... Petr the Gunner and Jan the pilot! Back
to the serious stuff: 4G Stress Test Good
progress (September 2007) Great Work - Looking for updates soon! (Petr please send me an alternate email address as the one you sent me does not function correctly when I try to send to you) |
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