Roden Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter 1916/17 1/32 Model Kit
The Roden Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter (635) is a 1/32 scale plastic model kit of the British First World War fighter, with markings for two aircraft flown during 1916 and 1917. The kit represents an important early Allied fighter, notable for being the first Allied aircraft of its type equipped with a synchronised machine gun.
Designed by the Sopwith Aviation Company at Kingston-on-Thames, the aircraft was initially known as the Sopwith LCT (Land Clerget Tractor). It subsequently became known as the 1 1/2 Strutter because of its distinctive W-shaped cabane struts, which resembled an arrangement of half-struts.
Development of the Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter
The Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter made its first flight in mid-December 1915. No 5 Wing of the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) became the first unit to receive the aircraft in April 1916, followed by orders from the Royal Flying Corps (RFC).
Two principal versions were produced: the two-seat Type 9400 fighter and the single-seat Type 9700 bomber. Production was undertaken by Sopwith and several subcontractors, including Morgan & Co, Hooper, Westland, Vickers, Mann & Egerton, and Ruston & Proctor.
British production totalled 1,282 aircraft across the different versions.
French Production and Service
France also adopted the Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter, initially purchasing a limited number from Sopwith before obtaining a manufacturing licence.
French-built aircraft received different designations according to their roles:
- 1.A2 – Two-seat reconnaissance aircraft.
- 1.B2 – Two-seat fighter-bomber.
- Single-seat version – Also manufactured in France.
French production reached 4,497 aircraft, considerably exceeding the number built in Britain.
Two Historical Aircraft Marking Options
Roden includes markings for two British aircraft associated with the RNAS and RFC:
- No 3 Wing, RNAS: Aircraft flown by Flight Sub Lieutenant Ray Collishaw during autumn 1916.
- No 70 Squadron, RFC: Aircraft flown by Lieutenant John H Gotch during spring 1917.
These options allow the model to represent aircraft from two different British flying services and two distinct periods of the First World War.
1/32 Scale Plastic Model Kit
This Roden release depicts the Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter in 1/32 scale, making it suitable for a collection of larger-scale First World War aircraft.
The completed model can be displayed alongside other 1/32 scale aircraft, particularly British biplanes and early military aviation subjects.
Kit Details
- Manufacturer: Roden
- Aircraft: Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter
- Country: Great Britain
- Historical period: First World War, 1916-1917
- Scale: 1/32
- Product type: Plastic model kit
- Marking options: 2 aircraft
- Manufacturer reference: 635
- EAN: 4823017702554
Assembly requires modelling glue, while paint is needed to finish the aircraft in the selected RNAS or RFC markings.
