Sopwith "Camel" F.1  E 7232 DIMPSIII 

'Circus Camel’

Designed in 1916 the prototype finally flew in late February 1917.  Initially ordered by the RNAS , the RFC quickly recognized the potential of the stocky little fighter.  Due to the instantaneous response of the controls, a tendency to spin and the fact that the nose dropped sharply in a right hand turn the F.1/ 2F.1 would kill many novice pilots.  An experienced pilot  giving the machine a measure of respect would find it a capable gun platform in a dogfight.  The shipborne version was identified as the 2F.1 and incorporated a detachable rear fuselage and etc to facilitate stowage on British ships.  The F.1 / 2F.1 were called “Camels” due to the hump fairing over the Vickers gun breeches.  Standard armament for the F.1 was two .303 Vicker Machine guns.  For the 2f.1 it was one .303 Vickers and one or two .303 Lewis guns on Admiralty gun mounts. Engines ranged from 110,130,140&150 hp rotary types from either Clerget, LeRhône, Gnome, Admiralty & Bentley.

This is the Eduard kit #8057.  I replaced the plastic pushrods on the Clerget with the appropriate diameter metal rods. I also added a Copper State models etched metal Sopwith type fire wall.  Simulating the interior rigging with fine wire. Interplane and Cabane struts had fine wire inserted into pre-drilled holes at their ends.  The top wing comes cast  in one whole piece but with separation lines denoting the panels like the production versions. The rigging is monofilament.  The tail skid is modified brass. Otherwise it was built per the instructions. DIMPS III and serial decals are from Blue Rider “Colourful Camels Pt II.” All red portions were handmade for this kit.