...for the world ’s biggest model plane
In a labour of love, a First World War aircraft takes shape in a Scottish hangar
There will be a few butterflies when we see her flying but it will be a pleasure
IT is one of the most remarkable model planes ever built. In common with the Airfix kit, which has delighted generations of hobbyists, it is based on technical plans and is meticulous in every detail. Yet unlike standard model kits, the First World War biplane taking shape in a hangar in East Lothian is a magnificent full-size replica that will eventually take to the skies.
A group of determined aviation enthusiasts – aged from 68 to 93 – is putting the finishing touches to the reproduction Sopwith 1½ Strutter. They hope it will take off exactly 100 years after the plane was originally produced.
So far, the crew – including a former surgeon, an ex-Concorde pilot, former Rolls-Royce chairman and a chemist – have spent 14 years on the project, studying original technical plans, then manufacturing and assembling more than 2,750 separate components.
The 1½ Strutter – its wooden wings braced with wires and covered in linen – was built to tackle the growing menace of the German air force.
The first prototype underwent official testing in January 1916 – and project leader Bernard Ginty, 83, told The Scottish Mail On Sunday: ‘Our goal is to have the aircraft flying by next year.
‘Most men, when they retire, don’t have giant toys like this to play with. We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have this interesting project to work on, a place to indulge our hobbies – and, of course, wives who put up with us.
‘I see chaps my age whose biggest excitement of the day is going to get the paper or take the dog for a walk and thank goodness that isn’t me.’
He added: ‘There will be a few butterflies when we finally see her flying but it will be such a pleasure. Our inspector just keeps saying, “Make it to the specification of the drawings. If it flew 100 years ago, it will fly again”.’
Originally the team – members of the Aviation Preservation Society of Scotland – were involved with restoring historic aircraft at the National Museum of Flight at East Fortune, East Lothian.
But, when a previous curator suggested they make a working model from scratch, the team – most of whom have no direct aeronautical experience – formed a plan.
At first they intended to recreate the Bleriot, the first heavierthan-air craft to cross the Channel in 1909, but abandoned it when they considered the plane’s reputation for being notoriously difficult to fly.
Instead they chose the 1½ Strutter, which takes it name from the one long strut and the shorter half strut which fix each of the upper wings in place. It was also one of the air- craft based at East Fortune to defend Edinburgh, Rosyth Docks and the Forth Bridge. The 13 members of the construction crew meet twice a week. Sharing their combined expertise in metalworking, carpentry and engineering,
they have mastered the skills needed to build the plane.
Mr Ginty said: ‘ We are using historical drawings from 1916. Although there is a lot of wood in the aircraft, there are no joints and that makes things tricky.
‘We have had to learn skills that aircraft builders would have used 100 years ago and there was no one to ask if we were doing it right.’ Gerard Lohan, who is making a documentary about the project, said: ‘What is remarkable about these guys is that the core team have never built an aeroplane before.
‘They have different skills and taught each other everything they need to know. It is an incredible tribute to their collective enthusiasm.’
The skeleton of the plane has been constructed from scratch following original plans. The only compromises on authenticity have been a new nine-cylinder engine, imported from Australia, and new cockpit instruments.
Also, where the original 1½ Strutters had wings made from lacquered Irish linen, the modern replica is using fabric with a more robust and reliable plastic coating.
Another pragmatic compromise relates to the weapons. The original 1½ Strutters boasted a technical innovation that revolutionised aerial warfare – a synchronised mechanism to allow machine guns to fire through the rotating propeller blades during flight. The replica will be fitted with realistic metal machine guns – although they will not fire.
The whole project has so far cost more than £40,000, funded by an ini- tial museum loan plus private and commercial donations. The crew estimate they still need £6,000.
Once finished, a qualified pilot will be enlisted for the maiden flight – and those who have worked on the two-seater aircraft or made significant donations will be invited to fly as passengers.
To donate, contact Gerard Lohan at gerardgbl@talk21.com