1:48 Sopwith Camel US Colt Vickers gun

Eduard resin accessory 1:48 Sopwith Camel US Colt Vickers gun

The item is not an aircraft kit but a small accessory: a resin casting of the armament for a model of the Sopwith Camel. It is the American license form of the Vickers machine gun, built by Colt, which differs from the British version in detail. It is exactly such differences that are usually lost in injected plastic, because a mold cannot handle undercuts and the fine ribbing of the cooling jacket. The exact number of pieces in the package is given on the box.

The real subject

The Sopwith Camel was a single-seat fighter biplane of the First World War, recognizable by the hump of the gun cover in front of the cockpit. The standard armament consisted of machine guns set on the fuselage centerline and firing through the propeller disc. Machines used by American units received machine guns built under license in the USA, which is a distinguishing detail on a model and one worth attention when choosing a particular finish.

Usage tips

First wash the casting in lukewarm soapy water because of the mold release residue. Cut the casting block off with a fine saw as close to the part as possible and sand the rest down; with thin barrels go carefully, as resin is brittle. Use respiratory protection while sanding. It is bonded with super glue; apply it with the point of a needle so that it does not flood the fine relief of the jacket. Fit the gun only once the surrounding fuselage is finished and painted, which lowers the risk of breaking it off during further handling.

Who the accessory is for

• Builders of First World War aircraft in 1:48 scale
• Modelers who want the exact form of the armament on the Camel
• Those who build an American-marked machine
• Those interested in working with small resin castings

This is an accessory to a plastic model. The model itself, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.