Sopwith Sparrow: 1 Week GB Project Mk. II

[Brian da Basher]

After three days, here's where I'm at with my second entry. The base kit is the RoG re-released Sopwith Triplane. I converted it to a monoplane by grafting on the lower wing from a 1/48 Curtiss racer. I also used one lower wing left over from a Nieuport 28 for the tailplane. I made a headrest fairing and split-axle undercarriage and added some Aeroclub spats. Unfortunately, I forgot to add the sprue with the engine in the pic. 

This one will be another submission for the R.A.F. 100. I'm hoping to have the undersides and maybe one of the topside colors and the rudder stripes done today. With luck, I might have this completed and pics up Sunday.

Brian da Basher

[The Rat]

Intimidating spats!

[ysi_maniac]

I see the spats ... but ... where are the clips?

[Brian da Basher]

I see the spats ... but ... where are the clips?

Aaaaack! I screwed up again!

Brian da Basher

[sotoolslinger]

Scary fast ,you are entirely too good at this

[upnorth]

You know Brian, you've just given me an idea for a rotary (or radial) engined Dewotine D.510 variant.

Must resist... but....RoG Tripehound is....so... dirt cheap!

[John Howling Mouse]

Nice SPATS!, man.   

[Brian da Basher]

Got the undersides painted and most of the uppers. I also did the rudder stripes, but those will need a touch up. I'm still sorting out decal options.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

As the Great War ground on well into its fifth year, the Imperial German Air Service has somehow managed to turn the tables and fight the war in the air to a draw using Fokker D.VIIs, D.VIIIs and the latest fighters by Pfalz and attack planes from Junkers. Not only had the Germans achieved a technical superiority, but they also had numerical parity due to a production miracle accomplished with the aid of a new book on time management strategies by the noted researcher and scholar, Dr. Ronald Fulce, Ph.D.

Assaulted by swarms of superior aircraft, the allies and the R.A.F. in particular needed an answer. Fortunately, a Fokker D.VII flown by Hermann Goering was forced down due to overheating, and the secret of Anthony Fokker's cantilever wing was out.

The Sopwith Aero Co. was first to make use of this revolutionary technology with their Project S-17, a very streamlined, cantilever winged monoplane powered by a Rolls-Royce "Robin" radial engine, armed with two .303 machine guns and featuring the first and coolest set of spats ever seen in O'l Blighty. Upon witnissing the amazing aerobatical capabilities of the new S-17, a mechanic was heard to exclaim, "We'll fill the sky with 'em and they'll be thick as sparrows, knocking the Hun for six!" and the Sopwith Sparrow was born.

Produced in great quantity and rushed to the front, the Sopwith Sparrow was soon able to turn the tide of war in favor of the allies. Most famous among Sparrow pilots was Sqdn. Ldr. Bert "Budgie" Byrd of 602 Squadron. "Budgie" Byrd and his men were able to destroy over 200 German aircraft between January and April, 1919, "Budgie" claiming 28 of them himself. Other Sparrow squadrons achieved similar success and this forced the Germans to sue for peace in what became known as the Ash Wednesday Armistice in April, 1919.

"Budgie" Byrd's Sopwith Sparrow can be seen on display at the Imperial Great War Museum Annex in Bolton, across the street from the Aviary.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

The basis for this project is the RoG re-issue of their venerable 1/72 Sopwith Triplane. While building my Sopwith Night Tripe, it occurred to me that it would be fairly simple to turn one into a monoplane and that might be a viable project for the 1 Week GB. I found an engine left over from a Mitsubishi Ki-15 that was an almost perfect fit. The lower wings from a 1/48 Curtiss Racer worked too and I found a tailplane in my spares that was made from one lower wing of a Nieuport 28. I rounded the fin from the kit and fashioned a headrest fairing from an old bomb. The windscreen is from my spares box, and I used the kit parts for the split-axle undercarriage. Those gorgeous spats are courtesy of Aeroclub and the spinner was from an SE-5. The gun barrels are little bits of landing gear struts.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

The entire model was brush-painted by hand with acrylics. Model Masters Gunship Gray and Euro Green were used on the uppers and a custom mix approximating R.A.F. Sky was used on the undersides. The prop was painted with Model Masters Dark Brown and Gulf War Tan. The engine cyllinders were done with a custom blue steel mix and the exhausts with cheap craft store silver, the ends dry brushed with Model Masters Rust. The guns were painted in craft store Gunmetal and the rudder stripes were done with craft store paints. The decals were mostly from a sheet for an SE-5 but the codes came from spares. I had a blast participating and I'm already looking forward to the next 1 Week GB.

Brian da Basher

[sotoolslinger]

  Love that backstory How could Germany possibly have lost

[John Howling Mouse]

Well, at this rate, we're going to have to host a one-DAY group build for you, my friend.  This is a great model to pull off this fast.  I don't know how you do it but I'm very glad that you do (do it).   

[Jeffry Fontaine]

At this pace, I think Bryan will be taking Anthony's place as the most prolific builder on WHIF.