Wonderful complete model kit of a Sopwith Bi-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.  

Arguably the most famous and deadliest British aircraft of World War One, the Sopwith F1 Camel was designed by Herbert Smith as a replacement for his earlier design the Sopwith Pup.The Pup was being outclassed by German aircraft such as the Albatross DIII and a faster, more heavily armed replacement was required. The Pup was relatively easy to fly with somewhat benign characteristics, however the F1 was not.

The powerful Clerget rotary engine created powerful gyroscopic forces that coupled with the torque made the aircraft able to turn to the right very quickly but with a nose down tendency. These dynamic forces plus a nose heavy weight distribution made the aircraft manoeuvrable and a fearsome foe – but tricky to fly. This often ended in disaster especially for inexperienced pilots.

The F1 was the first British aircraft to have guns that fired through the propeller disc via a synchronising gear. These guns were mounted forward of the cockpit with the breeches housed in a “hump”. This hump gave the F1 the unofficial nickname of “Camel”, which became synonymous with the aircraft despite it never being an official designation.

Along with its stablemate the SE5A, the Sopwith Camel gave the RFC, RNAS and emerging RAF air superiority over the Luftstreitkrafte towards the end of the war.

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.