Well folks, here she is! The first half of my Sopwith double build is now in the cabinet.
The interior, all struts, beaching trolley, and tail stand are scratchbuilt. The Lewis is MiniWorld, prop and engine are Aeroclub.
Mods to the kit included removing the headrest and moulded front "visor", reskinning the entire top surface of the fuselage with .005" sheet to correct the cockpit shape and improve the definition of the rear turtledecking, reskinning the fuselage underside to reduce the depth, and drastically reducing the height of the main floats. The opening in the upper wing was also filled as photos show this aircraft without it.
Rigging is .06mm (0.002") monofilament, with similar sized stainless wire used on the tail float. The sling on the upper wing is simply a couple of pieces of cotton tied together and CA'd in place.
The model represents a Sopwith Baby with Nore Flight, Isle of Grain, in May 1916. This particular aircraft was there by 24th April 1916, and was capsised and wrecked in mid May. It was struck off charge in June of that year.
She's just become one of my personal favourites, I hope you like her!
Ian
