BrendAn Posted May 9 Posted May 9 (edited) Have a look at this camel takeoff. Edited May 9 by BrendAn 12 1
facthunter Posted May 10 Posted May 10 They use a 'BLIP' switch to control the Power. The entire motor rotates with the Prop at about 1100 RPM. Lots of Gyroscopic precession. Nev 1
facthunter Posted May 10 Posted May 10 The Blip switch cuts the Ignition when you want reduced Power. Later Motors have throttle control (as Normal). The fuel enters through the Hollow crankshaft since the entire engine rotates with the Prop attached to it These motors used Copious amounts of Castor (vegetable) Oil and was the originator of (Wakefield) CASTROL Oils.. The Camel was difficult to fly as it turned Much more Rapidly in one particular direction due the Large gyroscopic Precession effect of the Motor . Once Pilots got used to it, It was used to advantage in aerial combat. Nev 2
facthunter Posted May 10 Posted May 10 It's very rare to even see or Hear one of these "proper" Rotaries running. I'm surprised nobody seems Interested.. They DO this sort of thing in New Zealand where they really punch above their weight. There's a great Museum in Christchurch with Knowledgeable people to show you around. It wasn't affected by the Earthquake, Luckily. Nev 3
Siso Posted May 11 Posted May 11 They use to fire one up at the engine start up days at the aircraft museum in Port Adelaide. Not sure if they still do. 1 1
facthunter Posted May 11 Posted May 11 Generally speaking, it's not a good idea to fire up engines without thoroughly Warming them up which is usually about one hour in the air.. There are ways of putting clean air through radials Mainly in how you shut them down. They have a lot of flywheel effect.. Nev 1
BrendAn Posted May 11 Author Posted May 11 On 10/05/2026 at 1:56 PM, facthunter said: It's very rare to even see or Hear one of these "proper" Rotaries running. I'm surprised nobody seems Interested.. They DO this sort of thing in New Zealand where they really punch above their weight. There's a great Museum in Christchurch with Knowledgeable people to show you around. It wasn't affected by the Earthquake, Luckily. Nev there was someone in nz building gnome replicas that were supposed to be an excellent engine from what i read but i can't find the company any more, or remember the name.
facthunter Posted May 11 Posted May 11 Fair chance they will still Build one but it wouldn't be a good way to become rich. Nev
BrendAn Posted May 11 Author Posted May 11 (edited) found them. https://www.kipaero.com/ they sell camel kits and the engines Edited May 11 by BrendAn 1
BrendAn Posted May 11 Author Posted May 11 1 minute ago, facthunter said: Fair chance they will still Build one but it wouldn't be a good way to become rich. Nev look up kip aero. i agree but what a wonderful looking engine 1
onetrack Posted May 11 Posted May 11 The Kip Motor Company, builder of the Sopwith replicas and the Gnome Monosoupape reproduction engines, is based in Dallas, Texas, not NZ. I hate to think what they cost.
BrendAn Posted May 11 Author Posted May 11 8 minutes ago, pmccarthy said: Classic Aero also make them in New Zealand, very successful. Same thing . Kip aero sell the csm engine from NZ . 1
BrendAn Posted May 11 Author Posted May 11 7 hours ago, onetrack said: The Kip Motor Company, builder of the Sopwith replicas and the Gnome Monosoupape reproduction engines, is based in Dallas, Texas, not NZ. I hate to think what they cost. Really.
Marty_d Posted May 11 Posted May 11 9 hours ago, onetrack said: The Kip Motor Company, builder of the Sopwith replicas and the Gnome Monosoupape reproduction engines, is based in Dallas, Texas, not NZ. I hate to think what they cost. Their Sopwith Pup kit is 130k - without engine or, as far as I can tell, fabric. 1
kgwilson Posted May 11 Posted May 11 The engines are built by Classic Aero Machining Service in Blenheim NZ. Kipaero sell them depending on the model from between $US50,000 & $US72,000. The expensive one has an electric start which defeats the purpose IMHO. https://www.kipaero.com/product-category/rotary-engines/ https://www.kipaero.com/aero-engines/gnome-rotary-engine/ 1
Blueadventures Posted May 12 Posted May 12 Like seeing the dark night run. Like starting connie after dark, saw it started at Bundaberg back in the late 90's. 3
BrendAn Posted May 13 Author Posted May 13 On 11/05/2026 at 10:10 PM, onetrack said: The Kip Motor Company, builder of the Sopwith replicas and the Gnome Monosoupape reproduction engines, is based in Dallas, Texas, not NZ. I hate to think what they cost. So eager to prove people wrong you don't read their posts
facthunter Posted May 15 Posted May 15 (edited) The Monosoupape is one of the simpler Rotaries of the Period . The exhaust port is directly open to the Air and ingests AIR immediately after exhausting to which an overly rich fuel-Air mix is added. There are many other brands around. Clerget, Siemens-Halske, Bentley. After WW1 the rotary concept was dropped. in favour of static/fixed. Motors. The rotaries used Windage to aid cooling which was inefficient. Nev Edited May 15 by facthunter 1
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