Sopwith

PEGASUS 1/72 Short-run injection mold kit.

The Salamander depicted in this kit was used for camoflage trials, by the Ministry of Muntions in 1918. The color scheme, notes and references are based on Technical Department guideling CIM 733 of 3/9/1918.

This is an early Pegasus kit that was all plastic with the exception of the cowl and machine guns. The upper wing decals were also provided. The kit is OOB with some interior work.

TOKO 1/72 injection mold kit.

With 605 pounds of armor plate on all sides of the fuselage, fuel tank and with an armored headreast, the TF2 (Trench Fighter) was designed to protect pilots on ground attack missions where losses to pilots could be as high as 30%. After evaluation in May 1918, the Salamander was ordered into production. Only two were used on the Western Front before the war ended.
The plane depicted in the TOKO kit is 6602, one of the 160 planes constructed at the Sopwith factory in Ham. The kit goes together well and is built OOB.

Revell 1/72 scale injection mold.
Sopwith Camel, B7380, built by the Ruston-Proctor Company of Lincoln, England. On January 4, 1918, they completed their 1000th aircraft and by special permission finished it in the colors depicted. Colonel Ruston, an avid student of Ancient Egypt instigated the color scheme.

With the exception of the yellow base color and decals, the model is handpainted. The kit is 100% OOB. The color reference material is from "THE INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE OF ARMIES & WEAPONS", July 1976, page 122 by Gray Barling. I built the kit about 1983 and took this series of photos in 9/2000.

Sopwith Schneider Floatplane by Eduard in 1/72 scale.

The Sopwith Schneider was a variant of the Sopwith Tabloid that won the 1914 Schneider Race. It was ordered in quantity for the RNAS and was known as the Sopwith Schneider. The model exemplifies the small fin, warping wings, bullnose cowling and Lewis gun installation of the early Schneider.

SOPWITH 1 1/2 STRUTTER 1B1 Single Seat Bomber by TOKO 1/72 Scale, Injection Mold.

Officially know as the Sopwith 9400, the 1/1/2 strutter first entered service as a reconnaissance plane and fighter. When used as a single-seat bomber, the observers cockpit was covered and four 50 pound bombs were carried. The model depicted is a 1.B1 No. 185 flown by the 107th - escadrille de Corps d'Armee, France, 1917.

The Roden kit offers two color schemes, one Russian and one French. The kid goes together well with no flash. the wing cabane holes were re-drilled about 1/16" outboard for a better fit. Building time was under 10 hours

Toko Sopwith 1B 1 ½ Strutter (Comic) 1/72 scale injection mold.

Some 1-½ strutters were converted into single seaters for Home Defense purposes. The pilot was located in what was basically the observer's cockpit. B762 had been reconstructed at the Southern Aircraft Repair Depot and on 08/18/1917 was allocated to Home Defense Group. By the end of 1917 it became clear that this plane could not oppose the new German bombers and all 70 conversions were declared obsolete and passed on to training squadrons.

This kit offered only one decal option plus the twin mounted Lewis guns. A very easy build less than 10 hours.

Flashback Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter 1/172 scale injection mold.

The Flashback offers two decal options, along resin and photo etched parts. Either the French or British version can be built and all parts are included for both options. This was a very nice kit to build and took a little longer to build than the TOKO kits. I estimate it took about 12 hours to build.

This plane was flown by RNAS FSL R. Collishaw, Luxeuil, France. While flying this plane during the Oberndorf Raid on 11/10/1917, Collishaw claimed to have shot down a Fokker.

Sopwith Dolphin Pegasus Models 1/72nd scale. Short run injection mold

The Dolphin was designed be the successor to the Camel and was distinctively different in more than one respect. This was the first Sopwith fighter with an inline engine, using the 200-hp geared Hispano-Suiza engine. Since the Camel had the worst field of view for the pilot, the Dolphin went to extraordinary lengths to give its pilot a good all round view.

The plane entered service in early 1918 and before production ceased on 08/23/1919, 1,774 plus four prototypes had been built. The plane was well liked by its British pilots and flew into the 1920's with some Polish and Ukrainian units.

This kit is the first of the second production by Sopwith. It is finished in the standard PC10 over CDL of the period.

The kit is one of the early offerings by Pegasus Models, being released before 1990. It was build about the same time and has withstood the years well. The build is out of the box with very little reference material. I have no idea how long it took to build but will estimate 10 hours.

Officially, the Sopwith fighter prototype that went to 'A' Squadron, No. 5 Wing, RNAS on May 28, 1916 was called the Sopwith Type 9901. But, early in it's existence the little Sopwith acquired the unofficial name 'Pup', inspired by a spontaneous remark made by Brig. General W. Sefton Brancker on first seeing the aircraft: "Good God! Your 1 ½ strutter had a pup!" Apparently officialdom frowned on more frivolous appellations but to all of the young men of both services who flew the little Sopwith it was, of course, the Pup.

The Pup's operational career ended in the autumn of 1917 and it served in training until the war ended. This model is a standard built Pup, serial no. C242, of the No. 7 Training Squadron, Netheravon, 1918. The decal sheet is Blue Rider sheet no. BR243.

Sopwith Snipe Pegasus Models 1/72 short run injection

The Snipe reached the front lines on Sept 23, 1918 with the No. 43 Squadron. Within five weeks there were 100 Snipes in France, replacing the Camels then in service. With the exception of Major William Baker's epic battle on Oct 27, 1918, the Snipe had few opportunities to show its abilities. After the Armistice, the Snipe served with a dozen RAF Squadrons. The plane was declared obsolete in 1928.

This is a very early 1983 Pegasus kit with no metal or decals. The engine, prop, guns and control stick are Aeroclub. I have no idea about the national markings. The rudder and fuselage stripes are hand painted. The Toko kit recently gave up its serial number. I know the Snipe Baker flew in his above mentioned battle did not have the heart on the tail, but I liked it and added it.

Sopwith Snipe Toko Models 1/72 injection mold

This is an early Toko release of the Sopwith Snipe of the 1st soviet fighter Aviaotryad, 1920. The pilot was Georgi Stepanovich Sapozhnhikov, who died in this aircraft on Sept 8, 1920, in a flying accident.

The kit is built Out of the Box with the kit decals. Blue Rider decal sheet BR200 was used to add the stars to the top wing. The kit decals do not include these stars.