BRISTOL SCOUT C, No.1611, No.6 Sqdn RFC 1916

by George Grasse

GAVIA GM0501 BOX ART

BRISTOL SCOUT C  3-VIEW DRAWING

This 3-view drawing is credited to J. D. Carrick or F. Yeoman and appeared in Reconnaissance and Bomber  Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War compiled by W. M. Lamberton and published by Harleyford Publications Limited.  The Bristol Scout C was deployed to RFC squadrons from the Western Front to the Middle East in small numbers mainly serving as escorts for corps aircraft of their squadron, not unlike the German deployment of Fokker E-Type 'Eindeckers' in KeK units attached to Feldflieger Abteilungen.

 

THE MODEL TO BE BUILT - PROFILE

This color profile of Bristol Scout C No.1611 flown by Captain Lanoe Hawker of RFC No. 6 Squadron was produced by Phoenix-Art and appeared in Cross & Cockade International, Spring 2013, Volume 44/1 (see bibliography below).

THE MODEL TO BE BUILT - PHOTO

This photo appears in Windsock Datafile 44 by J. M. Bruce (see bibliography below for more details).  Bristol Scout C No.1611 is shown in the photograph above.  This aircraft was flown by Captain Lanoe Hawker, No.6 Squadron, RFC, and, on 25 July 1915, in the course of one patrol, shot down three German aircraft which earned him the Victoria Cross.  The Scout appears well-worn so the photo is probably dated on or about 25 July 1915.  Note the sideways mount of the Lewis gun, in such a way so as to clear the spinning propeller.  Imagine the angle of sight required to shoot at and hit an enemy aircraft.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS Nos. 1, 2, and 3

Two views of the fuselage cockpit interior.  The kit's seat was replaced with a PE one. Seatbelts are lead strips with PE buckling tips.  The wood framed 'floor' marked with two aluminum skid tracks supports the rudder bar with foot stirrups.  The red pump is an added item.  The instrument panel is cramed with guages and dials and a map.  The interior was painted in Vallejo 847 Dark Sand.  Wood framing is painted with Vallejo 824 Orange Ochre.

 

CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS No.4

The fuselage halves were glued together, wrapped in rubber bands, and allowed to cure over night.  Brass rods were inserted into drilled holes through the wing's spars.  A small portion of the spars are open as shown on the left.  The right wing is not attached and shows the brass pins.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS No.5

The both lower wings are now glued to the fuselage.  The spacing between the wing and fuselage is clearly shown.  The horizontal tail unit is glued to the fuselage.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS No.6

The horizontal tail unit is now reinforced with Strutz material instead of the kit's pieces.  Also in flattened brass rod is the tail skid.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS No.7

The kit's center-line cover was lost so a replacement was made from round plastic stock.  It was shaved to a half-circle, cut, and glued in place.  The space is where the control column protrudes.  The landing gear was built from brass rod and tube copying the kit's plastic parts precisely.  The wire wrapping is a temporary means of holding the axle to the struts until faux bungee cord wrappings can be added.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS No.8

The rotary engine and cowling were test fitted and then glued in place.  Fuselage struts made from brass tube and rod and presently sit in place for the time being.  A number of holes were pre-drilled: just below the left rear fuselage strut two holes for the Lewis gun and its support; near the cowling for rigging wire; near the wing roots for outer strut rigging; near the tail for elevator control wires.

COLOR TABLE 

Vallejo VC0824 Orange Ochre	Interior wood framework and formers
Vallejo VC0847 Dark Sand	Cockpit fabric interior
Vallejo VC0856 Ochre Brown	Struts
Tamiya XF-16 Flat Aluminum	Cowling and metal panels
Vallejo VC0963 Medium Blue	Roundel Blue
Vallejo VC0909 Vermillion	Roundel Red
Humbrol 103 Cream Matte	Fabric surfaces, wheel covers

   

-------------------------------  à suivre -----------------------------

  

Bibliography:

British RFC/RAF Squadrons:  https://www.nationalcoldwarexhibition.org/research/squadrons

Bruce, J. M.  Bristol Scouts, Windsock Datafile 44.  Berkhamsted, UK: Albatros Productions, 1994.

Davis, Mick (managing editor). Cross & Cockade International, Spring 2013, Volume 44/1.  Warwick Printing Co., 2013.

Lamberton, W. M., Compiler, and E. F. Cheesman, Editor.  Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War.   Los Angeles, CA: Aero Publishers, 1962.

Rogers, Les.  British Aviation Squadron Markings of World War I.  Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military History, 2001.

Shores, Christopher. British and Empire Aces of World War I.  Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2001.

Willis, Matthew.  Bristol Scout - Warpaint Series No.128.  Dunstable, Bedfordshire, UK.  Guideline Publications.

GO TO?

8 January 2025