Roden 1/72nd Sopwith TF.1 Camel Trench Fighter By Peter Hobbins

Background

The TF.1 variant must rank as perhaps the least successful adaptation of Sopwith’s otherwise potent Camel. Only two airframes were converted for trench-fighting (B6218 plus the subject of this kit, B9278) and they spent only 1 month and 6 days, respectively, on service evaluation over France in March 1918. The two aircraft were fitted out in different configurations (including engines, armament and armour); this kit represents the only true “TF.1” with a Le Rhône engine, armour plate under the cockpit floor and around the carburettor, plus two downward-firing Lewis guns (but no sighting apparatus!). It also carried an additional Lewis in an Admiralty top plane. The TF.1 was rapidly declared to be inferior to the normal twin-Vickers Camel for trench strafing and B9278 was struck off in November 1918. As such, this kit represents a unsuccessful historical curiosity, not likely to be high on too many want lists apart from WWI completists. However, as a builder of (mainly) Australian-operated aircraft, the most interesting aspect of this machine to me is that the evaluation pilot was Lawrence J Wackett. During his WWI service, Wackett was recognised as a gifted and innovative engineer, and post-war he was perhaps the single most important force in establishing a viable aircraft manufacturing industry in Australia. This included involvement in the design of many indigenous types plus the selection and local manufacture of milestone aircraft – the Wirraway, Mustang, Sabre and Mirage III – for RAAF service. In this way I can justify building this otherwise odd choice of kit!

The Kit

Coming in the standard and oft-bemoaned Eastern European end-opening box, this kit comprises 63 pieces across three sprues, although 12 items are indicated as not required (the instructions incorrectly suggest that two Lewis magazines should be deleted and two Vickers kept – but I think most modellers would spot this error prior to assembly). Despite the presence of these spare parts and the fact that many of the sprues are common to Roden’s other Camels, the actual mix of parts provided means that you won’t be able to make either a standard (F.1) or naval (2F.1) Camel from this kit. There is a clear acetate film for the windscreen – I couldn’t determine whether this was relevant or not for B9278 – plus a decal sheet and an 8-page A5 instruction book. The latter is admirably clear and includes very effective and accurate rigging diagrams. Decals are presented for only one machine in standard PC10 over clear doped linen, and appear complete and thin, but the blue and outer white rings of the roundels are not quite concentric, which will be fiddly to correct.

The mouldings are nicely done, with thin flash on some pieces that is easily removed. Wings are commendably thin and the trailing edges are in fact almost dangerously sharp; repositioning the control surfaces should be easy enough with a few slices of the scalpel if desired. The rib detail on the flying surfaces seems spot-on, although the ‘fabric’ texture on the upper wing does seem a little overdone and could perhaps benefit from a brief sand with wet & dry. The correct choice of a Le Rhône engine is indicated and it looks quite good compared with an Aeroclub metal one. Some impressive detail is incorporated into the Lewis guns and wheels, but the limits of moulding technology mean that the rudder pedals, cockpit levers and seat – for instance – might be better replaced by aftermarket options. The cockpit sides display a horizontal/vertical latticework pattern which I’m not sure is correct – my understanding is that the internal bracing criss-crossed diagonally.

The instructions indicate where to fit the armour and how to drill the mounting holes for the 45-degree angled Lewis guns. It seems the armour plate is too short: according to my references the real thing extended to about 1 foot (30 cm) behind the pilot’s seat. A short piece of additional plasticard will remedy this if desired. The span and (approximate) length are spot-on for scale, and the outlines closely match the Kagero plans I used as a reference (perhaps a tiny discrepancy on the tips of the wings and tailplanes). However, the prominent join line between the centre section and outer panels of the upper wing is absent (although easily scribed), while there is an additional and apparently spurious engraved line mid-way along the fuselage sides which should probably be filled.

Conclusion

Overall impressions of this kit on the sprues are generally very positive. However, with a biplane kit the proof of the pudding is definitely in the building. Test-fitting of the main components suggests some problems with fairing in the upper part of the cowling, and the lower wing simply does not fit into lower fuselage. This kit makes a curious choice for Roden – an obscure and unsuccessful type in an unremarkable colour scheme – but one that nevertheless looks set to build into a generally accurate Camel.

My thanks to Roden for the review sample.

References

JM Bruce. “The First British Armoured Brigade”. Air International, March 1979.
Edward Kocent-Zielinski. Sopwith Camel. Kagero, 2003.
Peter Cooksley. Sopwith Fighters in Action. Carrollton: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1991.