Caudron

Caudron G.III A2/E2 by Roseplane 1/72nd scale vacuform.

In 1914, Rene and Gaston Caudron designed a two seat reconnaissance sesquiplane from their earlier G.II. The aircraft was widely used during the first part of WW1. It was used for reconnaissance and artillery observation duties. The plane was also used by the RFC, Belgian, Russian and Italian air forces.

France withdrew their G.IIIs from service in mid 1916 due to their slow speed and lack of armament. The British and Italians retained their G.IIIs until mid 1917. After they were withdrawn from service, the aircraft was re designated G.III E2 and were used as trainers. 192 G.III E2s were supplied to the Americans in 1917-1918.

The G.III remained in service with several air forces after the war. The Belgians had a considerable number of the aircraft. Russia developed the Porokhovschidov P-1V trainer using the G.III as a pattern. Finland used the type until 1924 and the G.III was popular among private fliers.

The kit was produced in the early 1990's by Joe Chubbock with Aeroclub metal parts and Richard Humberston did the decals and instructions. It was probably on of Joe's best efforts in my opinion. The molding is crisp and easy to build. I built the kit in 1994 and other than its delicate nature, it was not a hard kit to build.

The kit depicted is a G.III, Serial No. 1077, flown by the Italian Air Force circa 1915.