Copper State Models 1/32 Bristol Scout C

[Dave W]

Copper State Models 1/32 Bristol Scout C



Reviewed  by Dave Wilson

Scale : 1/32
KIT # CSM32-007
Price: €65 from Copper State Models direct at :  www.copperstatemodels.com and quality hobby retailers worldwide.


Contents- - 111 injection moulded plastic parts on 5 frames; Cartograf decals offering 5 marking scheme options;  Two versions of the Lewis MG mount and bombs ; photo-etched metal parts; Detailed rigging diagram; Gnome Lambda 80 HP  engine; Colour instructions booklet.

Reviewer’s note:
The format details of this review may differ a little from conventional reviews as the reviewer has been confined to a hospital for the past eight months. Copper State has kindly provided us with a review sample of their new Bristol Scout kit so this is the first kit that I have reviewed from a hospital bed! Accompanying images are sourced from Copper State Models and have been compared with the plastic provided in the box. The photographs perfectly capture the quality of the parts contained in this model.

Background:
The Bristol Scout Is one of those aircraft that has been largely overlooked by the model companies yet this dainty biplane played an important role in the development of World War One scout aircraft. It was essentially the first single seat fighter adopted by the RFC.
The type saw service between 1914 and 1916 chiefly with the RFC and the RNAS. After being designed as a racing aircraft It was adopted as a single seat reconnaissance scout aircraft in the early years of the war. Pilots saw its combat potential and in the days before synchronised machine guns were available the Bristol scout achieved some successes thanks to offset machine guns configured to fire outside the propeller arc.
This novel approach to aircraft armament especially by Captain Lanoe Hawker in 1915, has helped ensure the Bristol Scout’s place in World War One aviation history. Hawker won the first fighter pilot VC With his Bristol Scout and its offset Lewis gun. Naturally Hawker’s aircraft is one of the options offered in the new Copper State Models kit.


The Bristol Scout is enjoying something of a renaissance  in the hobby world in part due to  the amazing project by David Bremner of the UK who set out to build an accurate reproduction of Bristol Scout C, No. 1264, flown by his grandfather.
The flying replica utilises some key parts from the original aircraft and was made using original factory drawings. David has given Copper State full access to his research which has enabled CSM to create the most accurate model ever of a Bristol Scout.

Copper State’s Bristol Scout
Since the demise of Wingnut Wings in 2020, large scale WW1 modellers have hoped another model company would step up and produce world class injection moulded WW1 kits of Wingnuts quality.
Copper State Models has answered that challenge with kits that in many ways are even better than a Wingnuts model. A sensible and clear approach to parts design, instructions that are easy to understand result in a model that captures the look and feel of the real thing at an affordable price.




Their latest 1/32 scale model of the Bristol Scout confirms their reputation now as the world leaders in mainstream WW1 plastic model kits. I make no secret I’m a big fan of Copper State kits as I feel they represent outstanding value for money, high quality parts design and above all, affordability. In short, CSM kits represent the future of our hobby.




The business has come a long way since it was established by Eric R. Hight in the USA. On his retirement he sold the business to its current owners in Latvia and this small, highly focused team has turned the brand into a world leader providing a growing range of armoured cars, figures and aircraft. For a small business with only three people involved they have made spectacular inroads in the hobby world.
After beginning in 1/48 scale in 2016 CSM standardised on 1/32 scale for its aircraft kits and its catalogue now features stunning replicas of such aircraft as the Nieuport scout with five variations to date, the Caudron G.III (with more  boxings in development) and a development programme that includes such highly awaited models as the Hanriot HD.1



But before that we have the spectacular Bristol Scout type C  and it represents something of a milestone in Copper State’s history . Everything in this model testifies  to the passion by the CSM team to strive for accuracy, ease of assembly and  finely detailed parts, well packaged and for an affordable price.
The kit comes in the standard CSM format of a beautifully illustrated box cover over a strong top opening protective box housing the frames, each in protective plastic packaging.


The parts layout is sensible and clearly shown in the excellent instruction booklet along with the useful colour guide. The part attachment points on the frames are delicate and easy to clean up which shows this is a kit designed by modellers for modellers.







The real test of any kit is how well it goes together. Several forum members have posted build logs of this model which are recommended reading.







Instructions
As has become standard with CSM kits, the 24 page colour instructions booklet clearly shows 69 construction steps in an exploded view format with colours and rigging information included.




Marking options and decals

Copper State has done well with its choice of markings , offering five RFC and RNAS marking options. They have wisely included Lanoe Hawker’s machine and the Bristol Scout flown by David Bremner’s grand father which inspired this project.

 








Summary:
 This model defines class. Every aspect of it is world class, from the careful parts design to the frame layout and the moulding, all of which is of the highest quality  but at an affordable price.
Without doubt Copper State Models are now the world leaders in large scale injection moulded plastic WW1 aircraft models. Their Bristol Scout type C kit is a triumph.




Verdict:
Our Highest Recommendation.

(Review kit kindly supplied by Copper State Models. Please support the businesses that support our Forum.)