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Sopwith Camel ProfiPack

 

Eduard 1/48

S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number:  
Scale: 1/48
Contents and Media: See text below
Price: USD$33.47  from Squadron.com
Review Type: FirstLook
Advantages: Excellent detail; beautifully moulded; multi-media parts included; optional parts supplied; 8 markings options
Disadvantages: Instructions can be confusing
Recommendation: Highly Recommended

 

Reviewed by Mike Reeves


 Eduard's 1/48 scale Sopwith Camel is available online from Squadron.com

 

FirstLook

 

Once in a while a model kit comes along that really makes you sit back and appreciate the hobby. The Eduard 1/48 Sopwith Camel Proflipack kit number 8056 is one of those kits for me. It is quite simply one of the best looking in-the-box models I have ever laid eyes on. I am normally a jet guy but the WWI bug has bit me lately so getting the new Camel was not a choice but more of a must have.

What you get is a typical Eduard box (which I wish was a bit more sturdy) chock full of cleanly moulded tan styrene parts as well as a couple of photo etched frets, a set of Express masks for the markings, a clear sprue and a few resin items for the bombs. Every single part is crisply moulded on virtually flash free sprues. The fabric detail is subtle and to scale. I also like the tape on the wings. Eduard got it right here. It is very subtle and convincing.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Most of the photo etch will go into the cockpit and engine. All of these items are up to Eduard's usual high standards. A few of the parts such as the seat back may prove to be a bit tricky to get bent right. There are also a few parts on the PE frets that would be better served replacing with card or something more three dimensional

The kit gives you a couple of different cowl, gun sight arrangements and cockpit openings as well. The directions clearly state which version gets what so don’t fret here. Make sure to check your references as to which cowl and gun sight that you will need. My lack of WWI experience is telling here. I assume that the different cowl is for a different exhaust set up.

One of the best part of the kit are the wiring diagrams. The Camel is loaded with rigging wires but, Eduard shows them very clearly. This will be a great help to the novice when it comes to running wires.

The biggest highlight of the kit are, the markings options. You get eight….yes eight marking options!!! Here they are :

  • Aircraft A – Sopwith Camel F.1, B3834, Flt-Lt A F Brandon, Manston War School, August 1917

  • Aircraft B – Sopwith Camel F.1, B7296, 2/Lt G.S. Hodson, B Flight, No 73 Squadron RFC, France, February 1917

  • Aircraft C – Sopwith Camel F.1, Lt. Hollington, No.37 Squadron HD, August 1918

  • Aircraft D – Sopwith Camel F.1, F6022, Capt, R. Sykes, No. 201 Squadron, France, October 1918

  • Aircraft E – Sopwith Camel F.1, B6212, FSL W A Moyle, No. 13 Squadron RNAS, St. Pol France, December 1917

  • Aircraft F – Sopwith Camel F.1, D3332, Capt. A W Carter, No. 210 Squadron, Eringhem, September 1918

  • Aircraft G – Sopwith Camel F.1, B6313, Maj. W G Barker, CO of No. 139 Squadron, Italy, June 1918

  • Aircraft H – Sopwith Camel F.1, B6313, Major W G Barker, CO of No. 139 Squadron, Italy, September 1918 (this is Barkers second aircraft on the sheet)

A few more notes on the kit.

It has a super cockpit. All of the detail is restrained but to scale. I am looking forward to getting the seat together because the PE back rest looks awesome. My biggest complaint on the kit are the instructions. I found them very confusing at times to the point where I was baffled. There are so many steps with so many parts broken down in subassemblies that the assembly seems very hard to get through without missing something or adding a piece for version whatever that does not belong on the one you are doing.

All in all this model is a great value for the money spent. I was lucky enough to receive it as a gift and it will make its way to the bench shortly. My biggest fear is the rigging. Not being a WWI guy that scares me.

All in all I am very happy to own this kit. I will build it soon but, I may have to tackle something with a bit less rigging first to get my feet wet. If you build WWI kits, I would say that this is the jewel on the market. It is state of the art and superbly detailed. Eduard is getting better and better with every release. My hat is off to them for this gorgeous little gem!

Highly Recommended
 

Review and Images Copyright © 2004 by Mike Reeves
Page Created 08 February, 2004
Last updated 08 February, 2004

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