RC Sopwith Camel Scale: Flight Twelve

The Hangar 9 'Sopwith Camel' biplane features a 1.5 metre top wing, updated 14 x 6 propeller, 6400mAh 4S LiPo setup, and flies at a solid 4.5 kilogram weight with smooth realistic scale power. Flight Review: Taking the Sopwith Camel down to the southern end of the field, I lined up for a takeoff to the north. The tail came up quickly and I nearly clipped the grass on departure, but managed to get away cleanly. Ground handling remains one of the biggest challenges with this aircraft, especially while building speed, and it demands constant attention on the rudder. After departure I climbed away in a gentle circuit to gain some altitude. Visibility is never great with this model due to its compact size and biplane layout, but the pilot's perspective footage makes for a very unique view of the flight. Once I had plenty of height, I closed the throttle and allowed the Camel to settle into a long, graceful glide from several hundred feet above the field. My first landing attempt did not go to plan. After turning onto the tarmac I scraped a wingtip, immediately cut the throttle, and taxied back for another attempt. The small rudder and limited vertical stability make this aircraft challenging on the ground and during takeoff. Experience has taught me that you cannot force this airframe into the sky, and if things are not lined up properly it is always better to abort and try again. Back in the air, I enjoyed a nice low pass before making a tight turn onto final approach. The landing was mostly under control, although there was a small bounce on touchdown. Even after many flights, the Sopwith Camel remains an aircraft that demands patience and precision from takeoff to landing.