Sopwith Camel

Normally I wouldn't build a model of a WWI era aircraft - I don't like all the exposed cables - but the Camel was deemed number eight of the top ten fighters of all time by the Military Channel. Personally, I wouldn't have put it in the top three of WWI, however I am building a collection of the top ten, so I bought an inexpensive Eduard 1/48 scale kit.

To my surprise, I found this kit to be very good. The interior and engine detail was excellent, the fit was good save for the engine cowling, and the doped canvas surfaces appeared quite realistic.

I enjoyed building this kit because of all the new colors and replicating the none-metal surfaces to look like wood and canvas. To simulate wood, I used Model Master Tan as a base, and dry-brushed MM Dark Tan in one direction to simulate grain. It turned out so well that my wife asked me where I found the wood to make all the wood pieces! I brush painted MM Ivory in a cross pattern to simulate the dope color and canvas texture on the interior and undersides of the aircraft.

Having never built an Eduard kit, I was hesitant about the quality of the decals, but after putting the first ones on, I have never seen better quality. After painting and appling the decals came the worst part - the exposed cabling. I now am more sure than ever that I do not enjoy this process and will probably not build another WWI aircraft model for quite some time. But, after many days of careful work and frustration, I finished the kit. Some of the cabling has already broken before I took photos, but I refuse to go through that experience again, so they will stay unattached from this point on. All in all, I am glad that I added this kit to my collection, and I look forward to completing my Eduard Fw 190 kit.