*(100-98) SOPWITH TRIPLANE, 1964
-2297-p.jpg?v=55B44A66-0BEA-49B5-AA57-C7CDFF4AE1A4)
-2297-p.jpg?v=E27B875C-BC5F-4A36-B56B-B07C983CA527)
-2297-p.jpg?v=25091A54-AE4D-4F8F-A21D-45DA1E61D133)
-2297-p.jpg?v=8FD7009D-7D2F-42FF-B681-6B1B04D6823A)
-2297-p.jpg?v=76FF23E8-190D-4B82-808F-4188CFE05BE7)
-2297-p.jpg?v=1B41ED03-A79F-426F-BB97-2E0712129BB3)
-2297-p.jpg?v=27C35098-7A08-43A6-A435-0DA9B8B193BF)
AURORA KIT NO.100-98-SOPWITH TRIPLANE 'BLACK MARIA'
Appropriately enough, this Aurora kit of Flt. Cmdr. Raymond Collishaw's aircraft was moulded in Canada, part of the parent company's Rexdale, Ontario operation and includes instructions in French and English. Containing just 26 parts, this is a relatively easy model to build, having made a few cosmetic improvements before assembly. Our example is absolutely mint and that includes the colourful box with its sixties typography and Jo Kotula's artwork ramping up the nostalgia stakes even more. Transfers provide markings for N5492, Collishaw's single-gunned triplane with which he scored 18 confirmed victories. Our kit comes with extras: over 20 spare parts left over from an abandoned early build plus a 1:48 scale RNAS resin pilot from Copper State Models-a great addition to the kit's own figures. Aurora's all-black Sopwith Triplane remains one of the best in their 20-strong WWI series and we have just the one example.
**CONTAINS EXTRA PARTS & DECALS!
THE Sopwith Triplane was among the last in Aurora's line of WWI 'all plastic assembly kits' It was assigned catalogue number 100 which bumped it up to first place in the company's numerical order of Famous Fighters.As befits the the box sub-title 'Black Maria',the kit represents N5492, most successful of the'Tripehounds'flown by Canadian ace Flight Commander Raymond Collishaw-and unsurprisingly the entire plastic content is moulded in black.Fairly straightforward to assemble,it is quite well-detailed overall although there are a number of aspects to address: the Vickers machine gun begs replacement from either Aeroclub or GasPatch ranges; undercarriage legs are somewhat short and slightly under-span wing panels require re-profiling of their tips; removal of embossed markings and the peculiar scalloped undersurfaces sanded back to true aerofoil section. Happily the wings are thick enough to withstand these necessary amendments. Tailplane represents the early Pup-style version although the kit part is not quite large enough.Again,sufficient plastic remains to portray the smaller late version outline by careful re-shaping.The Clerget /airscrew unit is free to rotate within an integrally-moulded cowling that forms part of the fuselage halves rather than the usual one-piece affair, whilst Aurora's trademark base with wheel chocks provides a suitable platform for a fully-garbed flying figure with his more energetic companion clambering up to the cockpit. Several parts have parted company from their runners over the years and all errant items have been checked and bagged up along with the rest.Transfers are provided for Collishaw's famous No.10 Naval triplane and appear to be usable although some red centre spots are awry. Stirring box art by resident staff artist Jo (John) Kotula (1910-1998) depicts an all-black machine-a forgivable slice of artistic licence!
*EXTRAS! Inside the pristine box are 20 duplicated parts including: both figures; Clerget rotary; airscrew; undercarriage unit; wheels,extra decal sheet, etc. There's also a Copper State Models resin RNAS pilot figure ( F48-007) in typical flight apparel.
Triplane tales: For the ultimate Sopwith Triplane reference, Jack Bruce's widely-acclaimed WINDSOCK DATAFILE 22 is firmly recommended with its rich content of archive photos; contemporary hand-book sketches; close-up detail photos; 1:48 scale drawings and three colour profiles. Jack also wrote the much earlier Profile No.73 on the type.Many more Triplane colour illustrations were published as part of the 'Great War Paint' series in WINDSOCK Worldwide, Volume 29, No.1, January/February 2013. All three titles are currently available from the store-please see links below...
