American

The S-4 first flew in June 1917 and was accepted by the U.S Army with an order of 100 planes for advanced flying training. The plane was fitted with various engines and with the exception of being tail heavy, the flying qualities were generally good and it was extremely maneuverable. The S-4 was used solely in the United States. The plane enjoyed a new career as private-owner and racing aircraft after the war. The S-4 was used by Hollywood where it starred in "Hell's Angels" in which it often represented British, French, or German fighters.

This is the very old Rareplanes vacuform but is of excellent quality. There were no metal parts or decals at this time. The Marlin machine gun, 80 hp Le Rhone engine and prop are from Aeroclub. The wheels came from the spare parts box, as are the decals. This plane was flown by the U.S. Navy in 1918.

Burgess Dunne-7 by Scaleplanes 1/72nd scale vacuform

Work on a tailless biplane began in Farnborough from 1906-09. In 1913 Lt. J. W. Dunne, after obtaining exclusive license to manufacture the aircraft, sold it to the United States Army and Navy.

In Oct 1914, the Navy received it first aircraft and the Army version made its first flight that same month. They were powered by the 120 hp 9 cyl Salmson water cooled radial engine.

The conversion from wheels to floats was easily done by removing the wheels and fastening the floats to the twin skids.

The operational life of the aircraft is unknown. Photos show it equipped with a single Benet-Mercier machine gun in the observers forward cockpit. It was also used for experimental work with the Coast Artillery. The aircraft was considered a success but the work performed is not known. The aircraft was written off on Oct 18, 1916.

This is a basic vacuform built in 1995. Strut material was provided but no metal parts. I think the engine and prop are from Aeroclub with the radiators and fuel tank scratchbuilt. The green is spray painted and the camouflage color is hand painted. I remember it to be an easy build.

Le Pere LUSAC-11 by Roseplane, 1/72nd scale vacuform

In January 1918, Captaine Georges Lepere, an engineer with the French Technical Aeronautical Service came to the United States to design a aircraft capable of being built quickly using U.S. production methods incorporating the latest technology used at the Front.

In September 1918 the prototype was handed over to the USAAC with the designation Packard-Le Pere LUSAC-11 (Le Pere, U.S.A. Combat). Based on the tests of this and the second prototype, 1000 aircraft were ordered into production, followed by an additional 2000 aircraft at a later date.

Only the two prototypes reached France for service trials before the Armistice but these proved the strength, maneuverability and high speed together with a rapid climb to 20,000 feet. Due to the end of the war, the U.S. Government canceled both contracts. Only 28 aircraft were completed but development continued in the U.S.

The aircraft used the 425 hp Liberty engine and in 1919 a LUSAC set an attitude record of 33,113 feet as a single seater and 30,000 feet as a two seater. One also attained a speed of 128.8mph in the Liberty Engine Trophy.

The kit was made in England by Joe Chubbock and distributed by Rosemont Hobby Shop in Pennsylvania. In my opinion, is is one of his best offerings. The kit has a complete interior, metal parts and decals. There were no construction problems and the one piece wing struts made wing alignment almost automatic. All Paints are Gunze Sanyo. Reference material was Windsock Datafile 120.

The build took under 20 hours.