| Each year since 1989 Airdrome Aeroplanes has introduced a new aircraft to the public at Sun N Fun, this year was no exception. While it is not likely that Robert Baslee of Airdrome Aeroplanes is looking to take his newly introduced Sopwith off from an aircraft carrier, for those looking for a WWI replica fighter aircraft with "docile flying characteristics" his plane fits the bill! According to Robert he has had the idea of building a full scale Sopwith in the back of his mind for some time now, so when a customer asked him whether "he would be interested in doing a kit for one" he decided to design and build a prototype. 90 days later the Airdrome Aeroplanes Sopwith was completed. (Robert appears to be slowing down a bit, as he built 4 aircraft in 52 days for the Fly Boys movie). Sun N Fun was the Sopwith's first official unveiling, and once back at the factory flight testing will begin. The plane is powered by a Rotec Radial R 2800 engine putting out 110 horsepower. This should give the Sopwith outstanding performance as it weighs about 60% of the original with the same horsepower. Airdrome has been using the engine on it's kits for 4 years. The engine burns just over 5 gallons of fuel an hour. According to Robert the plane should take off in about 3 seconds, in about 275 feet, with a 1,000 feet per minute climb rate. Like all of the other aircraft Airdrome offers the Sopwith features aluminum tube, gusset, rivet together construction, covered in standard aircraft covering materials. The craft should take between 350 and 400 hours to build. All welded and machined parts come pre-done from the factory, and according to Robert "if you have basic hand tools, can drill a hole and install a rivet, you have the skills necessary to build an Airdrome Aeroplane airplane." Robert reports a high completion rate on his kits, with most builders taking between a year and eighteen months to complete their project. This is aided by the fact that the factory offers a builders support program where a customer can work at the factory for three days and have his or her tail feathers done and the fuselage up and on the landing gear. All of his kits qualify as Experimental Lightsport Aircraft and can be flown with a Light Sport pilots license. | 
