Clerget 9-cyl 130 hp 1/16 scale model
 

The testbuild of the enlarged Sopwith Triplane by Boats, "Sopwith Triplane 1/24 scale" triggered an urge to do some more work on this model. (The existing versions are here: "Sopwith Triplane N5486, 1/32 scale", and "Sopwith Triplane N5912, 1/32 scale".)

For one thing, the propeller needs improving. But that's already been done, as I found when I re-opened an old work-in-progress-file of the Triplane. In there, of all places, I found all the dozens of iterations of the "Simplified laminated propeller", now available as a download.

Next thing on the agenda has to be the engine, which - as Boats already has remarked - is just an outline of an engine.

So, I buckled down, got hold of an excellent drawing of the Clerget 9-cyl 130hp rotary engine by Mark Miller; and wrote to Richard Schulten for permission to use his design of the earlier 7cyl 80 hp Clerget as a base for making a proper 9-cyl 130 hp version.

Here's what the work so far looks like (one page of two or three):

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/...9-cyl-1-16.jpg

You will not be able to read much from that illustration. So, please, download a high-resolution pdf-file of this testpage instead.

My question now to all interested is rather basic: Do you understand what this page says on how to build the 1/16 scale version of the Clerget rotary?

The thing is that this is an attempt to really recreate a properly working papermodel of a rotary engine. This is the way it (hopefully) works:

I guess I ought to add some text like the above in some free space on another page.

Another feature is that the engine model is consistently built up of cylinders and cones made by parts which have gluestrips almost as large as the outer part, plus lids top & bottom. The technique has previously been described here: "Making paper cylinders with a ledge & full inner layer".

Any particular question marks? Immediate suggestions for improvements (clarity, readability, etc.)?

I realize that I may have gone over the top with arrows and explanatory text pieces. But on the other hand this engine drawing is consistent with the rest of the Triplane kit, and the propeller kit, in that it has no part numbers at all - everything is explained in words and arrows.

I plan to include photos of the build, of course (when I get to that); there already is 3/4 of another page with cylinder parts, and some white space left for these photos.

Still, though, what are your thoughts?

Leif

Hello Leif,

Bravo for a very welcome upgrade to this already very good kit. I have printed a copy of the test page and have found text easy to read and the instructions for making the engine rotate clear and unambiguous. I think that you are on to a winner here.
Many thanks to you Leif for your quintessential engineering craftsmanship.

Kindest regards

Bernie

Beta-version available
 

Thank you, Bernie, for confirming that the instructions seem to work. Thanks also to Richard Schulten who not only OK:d the use of his original version, but suggested including additional information about the original Clerget engine.

I have uploaded a beta-version of the Clerget 9-cyl 130 hp model to my own web-space. It is 4 MB, four pages, two of them for the engine model, which now looks like this:

http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/a...1&d=1338539164

http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/a...1&d=1338539164

The above are just illustrations at no particular scale and low resolution. Please don't use them for bulding anything. Download the beta-version instead.

On the second page above, I have included a generic firewall, which can be used for mounting the engine on a provisional stand, if built as a stand-alone. For that purpose, the kit also includes the simplified laminated prop on a third page. Below the formers, the instructions published in the previous post has been added. The fourth page (cover) is mainly empty so far, awaiting photos of the finished model.

If you wish to build the model at 1/33 scale, print at 48.5 percent. If you do that, you can print two pages per sheet. Check your print dialogue box carefully so that it doesn't specify "Scale to fit" or anything like that.

The model is made to "universal" paper size, i.e. you can use either A4 or US Letter paper sizes. Margins are made for inkjet printers, which means that laser printers may not print the whole area. If so, you will have to print at slightly lower percentage. Never specify "scale to fit", though, since that may mean different percentages for different pages.

Enjoy! - Leif

The Smell of Castor Oil...,
 

If anyone's interested here's a video of a rotary engine running on a test stand.
Playing Oberursel Engine Running | The Vintage Aviator
Wayne

Once more a fantastic model from Leif! Thank you Thank you.....Rich

Thanks for this one Leif, I have s soft spot for early aircraft engines....:):cool:

Leif,

Your creating a new standard for WWI card model airplanes and I can't think of a better one than the the Sopwith Triplane.

Excellent job, looks really good..

Swampfox

Leif, I admire your skills and dedication. You are producing great designs!
This engine looks very nice indeed. I have no doubt it will look beautiful once built.

Yet another superb contribution, Leif! This upgraded engine is truly wonderful.

Don