Wonderful complete model kit of a Sopwith Tri-plane 

• Ideal for ages 14 to 100!
• Includes everything you need including glue to make the kit
• Hours of fun making a rubber powered balsa wood kit that really flies  

Sopwith’s Chief Engineer, Herbert Smith, developed the Triplane on the orders of owner Thomas Sopwith as a private enterprise for a new scout (fighter) aircraft, with superior rates of climb, roll, and better all-round visibility than current designs. 

Smith believed that three staggered, narrow chord wings, set wide apart, each with its own set of ailerons would fit the bill. 

The prototype flew in May 1916 piloted by Sopwith test pilot Harry Hawker (later to form the Hawker Aircraft Company of Hurricane fame). Astonishingly for a maiden test flight, Hawker successfully looped the aircraft three times. 

Subsequent flights proved that Smith was right and that the "Tripehound" as many pilots came to know the aircraft, had far better rates of climb, manoeuvrability and visibility than any other domestic or enemy aircraft of the day (although this was tempered by slower dives than German aircraft of the same period). With a wingspan of 18"(450mm) your finished model will be big enough to handle with ease and yet small enough to display with pride in your living room. Perhaps you remember building one of the original kits as a youngster, cutting out the fiddly printed wood parts with a scalpel?

We've made building the kit easier for you - the precision laser-cut balsa parts simply push out ready for you to stick together using readily available PVA wood glue. We've included an original plan and instructions along with lightweight japanese tissue, propeller, rubber motor and wheels - in fact everything you'll need to create a fully flyable recreation of this iconic aircraft.

So much more fun than a plastic "Airfix" kit, enjoy time together with your son or daughter developing engineering skills they'll value forever and creating memories they'll treasure for a lifetime. These kits make great Christmas gifts and birthday presents for that "hard to buy for" man who has everything (please note children under 14 should be supervised by an adult).

WHAT'S IN THE KIT?

Four balsa sheets with precise laser cut parts and strip wood.
PVA glue for building the wooden frames.
One 150mm diameter plastic propeller.
One pre-bent motor hook and shaft.
A 150mm long piece of 6.4mm diameter balsa dowel for the engine cylinders and gun details.
Three low friction plastic ‘nose’ bushings– one for the propeller and two for the undercarriage wheels.
Piano wire for the main undercarriage legs.
A matchstick for the tail skid.
Three cocktail sticks or toothpicks, one for the motor peg and the others for use in various details
Rubber motor strip.
Tissue to cover the model.
Parts reference sheets (W), full size summary plan sheets (X), scheme diagram sheet (Y) and scheme markings (Z) printed on lightweight paper.