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Cox Engine of The Month
Cox Sopwith Camel almost ready
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Cox Sopwith Camel almost ready
Bought a Cox Sopwith Camel (blue & yellow version) off of eBay. Cleaned up well. 80% of the stickers were toast so I'm awaiting Ex Models to get them in stock. I'll install lead out strings and make control lines with swivels tomorrow AM. Wake up my little guys and go fly before it gets too hot. I take pics and video and post--if'n I can figure out how to do it. I have flown CL since 1977 and then I grew up and life got in the way. Good Lord I wish I had kept all my airplanes and stuff! P-40, Black Stuka, Red Baron, Grasshopper and of course a PT-19 plus many, many balsa planes.
Last edited by agbiv on Mon Aug 21, 2017 9:01 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : #$%@^&**&&% spelling)
agbiv- Moderate Poster
- Posts : 25
Join date : 2017-08-19
Age : 64
Location : La Vernia Texas
Re: Cox Sopwith Camel almost ready
agbiv wrote:Bought a Cox Sopwith Camel (blue & yellow version) off of eBay. Cleaned up well. 80% of the stickers were toast so I'm awaiting Ex Models to get them in stock. I'll install lead out strings and make control lines with swivels tomorrow AM. Wake up my little guys and go fly before it gets too hot. I take pics and video and post--if'n I can figure out how to do it. I have flown CL since 1977 and then I grew up and life got in the way. Good Lord I wish I had kept all my plpanes and stuff!
That sounds TERRIFIC! That airplane was actually my first Cox model. Just a tip here; source some 15-pound braided fishing-line to fly it. It's sold under a few-different names.. but look for the words "Dyneema-braid" in its description. "Spider-Wire" is a brand that is popular.. as well as "Spectra". You'll need to learn how to tie a 5-turn "uni-knot" for the terminations.. but the line is MUCH LESS draggy than the old Dacron-line. This line is NOT mono-filament.. it is "braided".
I would personally try 25-30 foot lines initially. It's a really small airplane. Make sure that you use fuel that is formulated for Cox engines. Tower Hobbies sells Cox fuel in two grades. Either one will work fine. Either "Cox International" or "ExModel Engines" stocks the proper propeller for that model. It's a 4.5 x 4 "Left-Hand" propeller. It's good to have a few spares.. easy to source.
Please let us know of your experience!
Thanks for the words of wisdom!
I have plenty of the braided line (I fish for hybrid fresh water Redfish here). Prop is good but will get extras. Bought the fuel with the correct castor oil content. I was going to make 30 ft lines with very small snap swivels like I used to do as a kid. Motor is cleaned and oiled--popping nicely and ready for fuel in AM. Ready for the Dawn Patrol.
agbiv- Moderate Poster
- Posts : 25
Join date : 2017-08-19
Age : 64
Location : La Vernia Texas
Re: Cox Sopwith Camel almost ready
Ditch the swivel part of the snap swivel, I've had them come apart on me.
JPvelo- Diamond Member
- Posts : 1972
Join date : 2011-12-02
Age : 57
Location : Colorado
Oldenginerod- Top Poster
- Posts : 4018
Join date : 2012-06-15
Age : 62
Location : Drouin, Victoria
Re: Cox Sopwith Camel almost ready
Those are the ones I've had break at the swivel. Discard the swivel and use the clip by itself.
Jim
JPvelo- Diamond Member
- Posts : 1972
Join date : 2011-12-02
Age : 57
Location : Colorado
Re: Cox Sopwith Camel almost ready
JPvelo wrote:Those are the ones I've had break at the swivel. Discard the swivel and use the clip by itself.
Jim
I was warned early-on to NOT USE any type of swivel for flying-lines.. but I've never tried using just the clip-part. Your "best-choice" is to source these-types of connectors.. if you can find them. The ones on the right (above the penny) are the safest.
Re: Cox Sopwith Camel almost ready
Okay now, I got the lines made and lead outs run. I am using braided line. I am also using ss snap swivels. I flew for years using brass & steel ones with nary a failure. SS ones have never failed in salt water or fresh water and on really big fish (48" and 60#). I am placing an order for several props since mine snapped just as the little jewel was drawing fuel beyond a bit of prime. My thumb is okay. My boys thought that was hysterical. 57 can outrun and catch 8 & 9 especially when they're trying to breath, laugh and run. Will report on next effort when new props arrive.
agbiv- Moderate Poster
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Join date : 2017-08-19
Age : 64
Location : La Vernia Texas
Re: Cox Sopwith Camel almost ready
That's OK you know i know when that baby fires they will scatter then..My thumb is okay. My boys thought that was hysterical. 57 can outrun and catch 8 & 9 especially when they're trying to breath, laugh and run. Will report on next effort when new props arrive. wrote:
getback- Top Poster
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stuff coming
I ordered two props and some extras from Exmodels. Don't tell my wife. Will report when next attempt is made.
agbiv- Moderate Poster
- Posts : 25
Join date : 2017-08-19
Age : 64
Location : La Vernia Texas
Re: Cox Sopwith Camel almost ready
agbiv wrote:I ordered two props and some extras from Exmodels. Don't tell my wife. Will report when next attempt is made.
It will be good to have those extra props! Have you looked into a "stooge" for launching the model? It's an easy thing to make; having a spring-pin to engage a loop of string on the model's tail.. with a "separate-string" leading out to your handle to pull the pin and release the model. Browse the threads here for some simple-design ideas. Flying over grass is a lot safer.. and some large sheets of cardboard laid-out ahead of the airplane can serve as a runway for it's little wheels to roll for launching. Tape the seams together so it can fold-up for easy transport. These little details can make for much more successful flying-experiences"flight after flight". You'll soon find yourself re-fueling after a flight.. and getting in the air again, in no-time flat!
Re: Cox Sopwith Camel almost ready
9 year old is first copilot. He helped make lines and lead outs. His 8 year old brother wandered off to be an unauthorized screen zombie and is now the designated "stooge". 2nd flight they swap. I'll definitely make a stooge for when I fly alone. Never have flown on pavement. The cardboard runway is a great idea.
agbiv- Moderate Poster
- Posts : 25
Join date : 2017-08-19
Age : 64
Location : La Vernia Texas
Props in
Got two props in and will test run Thursday on day off.
agbiv- Moderate Poster
- Posts : 25
Join date : 2017-08-19
Age : 64
Location : La Vernia Texas
It's ALIVE!!!
So the little beast would run a bit on a prime but no sustained run! AAAAAAAAAA!!! So I took it apart and wadda ya know--a kinked fuel line. Snip snip, re-tuck and screw it back up. One prime, two flips and YEAH!!! My grin lasted till the tank ran dry. Filled it and ran through again. She's now ready to fly! Hopefully tomorrow. Will report back with update.
agbiv- Moderate Poster
- Posts : 25
Join date : 2017-08-19
Age : 64
Location : La Vernia Texas
Re: Cox Sopwith Camel almost ready
Congratulations on the start-up and steady run.
Pictures, pictures.
Bob
Pictures, pictures.
Bob
rsv1cox- Top Poster
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Location : West Virginia
Re: Cox Sopwith Camel almost ready
Good luck! Have fun with it.
Cribbs74- Moderator
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Re: Cox Sopwith Camel almost ready
Glad that you found and fixed the problem quickly! Not sure if this was discussed previously.. but the fuel-line's "pick-up" should be oriented in the "9 o'clock" position looking at the backplate. (I think that was mentioned.. but just to be sure..) If it's oriented at the "bottom" you'll run-short of fuel-feed due to the centrifugal-forces of flight which places fuel against the "outer-facing" side of the tank.
This photo (courtesy of Paul Gibeault) shows the correct fuel-line orientation for control-line flight.
His backplates are custom "racing" adaptations.. but the fuel-line orientation is the same on all three.
This photo (courtesy of Paul Gibeault) shows the correct fuel-line orientation for control-line flight.
His backplates are custom "racing" adaptations.. but the fuel-line orientation is the same on all three.
First attempt not so good
So the little beast was giving trouble tuning out. Then I underestimated length of runway needed. Then my pit crew has real need of additional training. They hung in there though and we had a short one lap flight--engine died. Sigh. Will tweek motor and wait for a good day without much wind. Words from Master Cox-chin while visiting the "cave of knowledge": "Always blame it on the wind!"
Last edited by agbiv on Thu Sep 14, 2017 1:46 pm; edited 2 times in total (Reason for editing : #$@%^&*(*&*@! Spelling)
agbiv- Moderate Poster
- Posts : 25
Join date : 2017-08-19
Age : 64
Location : La Vernia Texas
Re: Cox Sopwith Camel almost ready
agbiv wrote: So the little beast was giving trouble tuning out. Then I underestimated length of runway needed. Then my pit crew has real need of additional training. They hung in there though and we had a short one lap flight--engine died. Sigh. Will tweek motor and wait for a good day without much wind. Words from Master Cox-chin while visiting the "cave of knowledge": "Always blame it on the wind!"
Shoot..... sorry to hear that you couldn't fly-out a full tank of fuel. Less wind is preferable for sure. Try to choose a relatively calm day for the next flight.. and adjust the needle a bit more "rich" (more fuel than air) to see if the engine continues to run for a few more laps around. If your mixture is "screaming-lean" when you launch.. the engine's "load" will decrease once in the air.. which can cause it to "sag" (overheat) and shut-down. This doesn't hurt it.. you just need to find the "sweet-spot" mixture for flying.. vs. tuning in the pit. As small as the Cox Sopwith Camel model is.. it's a heavy little airplane.. and will need some "dialing-in". One quarter-turn or even less on the needle can make the difference between a great-flight.. or a lack-luster one. You'll get the feel for it through a few flights of experimentation. You might need a little more smooth-runway "distance" to launch the model with the engine running "rich".. but once it's airborne.. the engine should speed-up/lean-out into it's "power-curve".. and pull the airplane through the air with more authority.. but stay "running".. until the fuel is exhausted. That's when you'll know you're in the ball-park for consecutive successful flights.. and your boys will be cheering for more!
Was definitely running lean and mean
Thanks for the insight. I was absolutely running it lean in the pit. And yes she got hot , so.. a little richness will be tried next time. I have a Cox P-40 Warhawk on the way too! Once we get the hang of it we'll go to a balsa kit--thinking of one of the Sterling or Top Flite Junior Warbirds. Then I'll get an engine. Probably a Black Widow or Golden Bee. I'll compensate for the weight forward and get the CG just aft of the leading edge.
agbiv- Moderate Poster
- Posts : 25
Join date : 2017-08-19
Age : 64
Location : La Vernia Texas
Re: Cox Sopwith Camel almost ready
agbiv wrote:Thanks for the insight. I was absolutely running it lean in the pit. And yes she got hot , so.. a little richness will be tried next time. I have a Cox P-40 Warhawk on the way too! Once we get the hang of it we'll go to a balsa kit--thinking of one of the Sterling or Top Flite Junior Warbirds. Then I'll get an engine. Probably a Black Widow or Golden Bee. I'll compensate for the weight forward and get the CG just aft of the leading edge.
Sounds like a GOOD plan! Although there's no denying that the Cox models have an authentic scale appearance; the balsa models fly soOoOo much better.. the difference is amazing. Repairing them after a crash is a LOT easier too. Getting the kids involved with building a flying model is a good thing. It teaches them a lot about building in general.. but also teaches some simple lessons in physics.
Please let us know how the next flights work out!
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