Next something that will have to be scratch built.
Sopwith Baby
I have been doing some reading about the Royal Naval Air Station (R.N.A.S) at Hornsea in East Yorkshire. A visit to the local museum in Hornsea provided some information and so did the internet. The RNAS was based on Hornsea Mere – the largest natural fresh water body of water in Yorkshire I believe. Some of the buildings still exist and are in use as a café.
The RNAS operated two types of seaplane from here The Sopwith Baby and the Short 184.
Approximately 12 seaplanes were based here. They were used for coastal patrols and anti-submarine work.
The Short will have to be scratch built and so it seems will the Sopwith. The only kit in 1/48 scale was produced by Eduard, but I have been unable to locate one, I believe that they also did one in 1/72. I have also seen a 1/72 version as a vacuum formed model. There is also a card kit in 1/48 available and this may prove to be of some use.
Special Hobby produce a Sopwith Schneider in 1/48 scale and this is similar to the baby in many ways.
Many plans are available on the internet and above is one such, there are also a few books and publications, many of these seem very expensive and are no longer in print.
The Baby was a single seat fighting scout and was developed from the Schneider winner of 1914. The design of the original was modified by The Blackburn Aviation and Motor Company to accept the 130h.p Le Clerget engine, Blackburn built 186 machines, some had the 110hp engine as well.
Wingspan 25ft, length 23ft and an all up weight of 1,715lb, it had an endurance of 2.5 hours. One bomb could be carried on anti-submarine patrols.
So it seems that scratch building will be the order of the day. I intend to start with the floats and see how it goes.
If you have an old Eduard one or anything else please let me know - cheers.