Eduard 1/48 scale "Camels & Co." Sopwith Camel Dual Combo plastic model kit review

Would you like your Camel kit with one hump or two? Eduard has chosen to release a dual boxing of their newly tooled Camel prior to a single-model kit. Be ready for a deluge of Camel kits from Eduard — there are no less than 49 unused parts per plane. In addition, there are numerous extra parts depending on options chosen, including a total of six spare engines no matter what you choose. A plethora of parts aren’t the only surprise: Eduard includes two fictional airframes from the English Bigglesworth boys' adventure-book series among the ten markings options. Color photo-etched metal (PE) and masks for each model in the kit round out the contents. After building one PE gilded Camel and one without the bling, I can say that the injection-molded details should be sufficient for most modelers, with the possible exception of the PE harness.

The cockpit is nicely detailed and includes optional plastic or PE instrument panel. Decals detail the plastic dials, but I had to use setting solution to settle excessive clear film over the detail.

There are no corresponding slots in the fuselage for tabs on the rear floor supports. Remove them or they will interfere with fit.

Pay close attention to the parts selected throughout the build because well-documented options pop up in the instructions constantly. The complicated interior fit well in the fuselage, but I left the fragile tail skid off until the end of the build.

The wings are one-piece moldings with separate control surfaces, as are the tail planes. Don’t forget to paint the clear inspection panels on the wings and install the clear covers. The fit of the lower wing spars into the fuselage is very tight, so I trimmed and scraped until they slid in without glue. Be very gentle with the elevator because the connection between sides is very petite. The struts are also quite flexible.

Engine options are plentiful and the detail quite nice. You will need to remove a substantial circumferential mold line around whichever cowling you choose.

Landing gear, props, and other small details were finished and set aside for later.
As with most biplanes, the kit was finished in major subassemblies, then put together after I applied the decals. I painted the undersurfaces Tamiya Deck Tan (No. XF-55), which also served as the base coat for the oil-stained wood areas. The top surfaces were finished with Tamiya Khaki Drab (No. XF-51). I lightened it slightly and airbrushed the depressions between the overly prominent wing ribs.

Applying the decals showed up the only major failing of the kit. The red markings were nearly translucent, so I undercoated them with the deck tan to match the underside decals already applied before using spare decals on the upper wing. I forgot that the Bigglesworth option had fuselage roundels and the unmodified center dots look nearly black. Oddly, the white areas were completely fine over the dark colors.

Moving to final assembly, I mounted the forward cabane struts first; they are vertical and easy to align. I could then measure to the rear cabane points and align the interplane struts with the cabanes and set the upper wing at the correct angle.

I rigged both models with EZ Line after drilling holes at the rigging points. For control lines I used Uschi van der Rosten Standard Rigging, similar to EZ Line, but finer. The landing gear and other details were added last.

I spent almost 30 hours on my little caravan of Camels and I am pleased with the results, despite the disappointing decals. I suspect we’ll see aftermarket markings for this quality kit.