I've been seriously been considering building a WW1 airplane for several years. I want it as authentic as practical, and am really looking at the Kip Aero Sopwith 1 1/2 strutter. I briefly talked to Kermit Weeks at Air Venture a few years ago, and his recommendation for the best flying WW1 airplane is the Sopwith Pup. Can't get much better than that. I want 2 seats, and figure the strutter should fit the bill with similar flying qualities (since the pup is a downsized strutter). I need to be able to operate by myself, and don't want to be on a short leash from my airstrip from worrying about the engine dying. The new rotary engines from New Zeland look interesting, but are largely untested. Would any of the new, small radials be a better choice for dependability and operation - such as the Verner? Which one? Does anybody have any experience with the new rotaries, or using a small radial instead, please?
