by George Grasse

RODEN 1:48 SCALE PLASTIC INJECTION MOLDED KIT RO0402 OF THE SOPWITH 1.A2

RODEN RO0402 SOPWITH 1.A2 BOX ART

 

SOPWITH 1.A2  3-VIEW DRAWING

The 1.A2 was designed as a corps co-operation aircraft performing mostly reconnaissance and artillery observation.  There were two bombing versions: the single-seat 1.B1 and the two-seat 1.B2.  The British-designed 1-1/2 Strutter was adopted by the French Aeronautique Militaire as a stop-gap corps machine until French industry could get the Salmson 2.A2 into production.  It is estimated French-built Sopwith 1 aircraft by at least 12 French manufacturers built over 4,700 machines.  Except for some British-built 1-1/2 Strutters transferred to France, French-built Sopwith 1's were finished in "enduit metallise" (aluminum dope) or camouflaged in the 1917-1918 five-color scheme.

THE MODEL TO BE BUILT

Sopwith 1.A2 No.1056 of Escadrille SOP.36.  Profile was created by David Mechin and accomplished profile artist and author of the monumental work, The WW1 French Aces Encyclopedia, Aeronaut Books. This unit along with escadrilles Sop.208 and 221, were part of the Allied reinforcement to the Italian theater after the unfortunate debacle at Caparetto.  The initial French contribution was two fighter escadrilles (Spa.62 and Nie.82), eight corps escadrilles (AR.14, AR.22, AR.44, AR.254, Sop.36, Sop.206, Sop.214, and Sop.221). Much more information is found in David Mechin's Aeronaut book French Fronts of the French Air Force 1914-1918.

 

SOPWITH 1.A2 ESCADRILLE SOP.36 PHOTO

The aviators standing next to No.8 are not identified but can be assumed to be the crew, pilot and observer/gunner. The rudder identification is unlike the usual French practice and does not reveal the aircraft's number.

 

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No. 1

Now in work . . . . . . .

 

 

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Bibliography:

Bruce, J. M.  Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter Volume 1, Windsock Datafile 34. Berkhamsted. Hertfordshire, UK: Albatros Productions 1992.

Bruce, J. M.  Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter Volume 2, Windsock Datafile 80. Berkhamsted. Hertfordshire, UK: Albatros Productions 2000.

Davilla, James J. Dr and Arthur M. Soltan.  French Aircraft of the First World War.  Boulder, Colorado: Flying Machines Press, 2002.

Mechin, David. French Fronts of the French Air Force 1914-1918. Aeronaut Books, 2023.

Thetford, O. G. and E. J. Riding, Compilers, and D. A. Russell, Managing Editor.  Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War.   England: Harleyford Publishers, 1954.

Toelle, Alan D. Sopwith Type 1 (1-1/2 Strutters) French Serial Numbers, via eMail 2006.

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22 August 2026