by George Grasse

GASPATCH 1:48 SCALE PLASTIC INJECTION MOLDED KIT GP4002 OF THE SALMSON 2.A

GASPATCH SALMSON 2.A2 (MID TYPE) BOX ART

 

SALMSON 2.A2 3-VIEW DRAWINGS

This 3-view drawing is credited to J. D. Carrick or F. Yeoman and appeared in Reconnaissance & Bomber Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War compiled by W. M. Lamberton and published by Harleyford Publications Limited.  The French Salmson 2.A2 two-seat reconnaissance airplane equipped nearly all Aeronautique Militare reconnaissance escadrilles by war's end in late 1918. See 'Bibliography' at the end of this article for more detailed operational use.

THE MODEL TO BE BUILT

This profile by Juanita Franzi was taken from Salmson Aircraft of World War I, Great War Aircraft in Profile No.3, by Colin Owers et al, published by Flying Machine Press (see bibliography for more details).  Escadrille Sal.259 was created from AR.259 in May 1918.  Until the end of the war, Sal.259 moved to several bases to participate in the major battles of Second Marne, offensives near Noyon, Couchy Forest, the Flanders Offensive, and late war action in Belgium.

 

PHOTO OF THE MODEL TO BE BUILT

This photo was taken from Salmson Aircraft of World War I, Great War Aircraft in Profile No.3, by Colin Owers et al, published by Flying Machine Press (see bibliography for more details).  The caption notes that the individual aircraft letter 'C' was uncommon because numerals pre-dominated throughtout the French Aeronautique Militare and the U.S. Air Service.  The unit insignia clearly denotes the role this escadrille that of observation although all activities of "corps aircraft" were done.

 

ESCADRILLE Sal.259 INSIGNIA

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No. 1

Cockpit detail is the specialty of this Gaspatch kit of the Franch Salmson 2.A2.  The left fuselage half as shown on top shows the initial steps I took.  First, the inside surface was painted in Humbrol 103 Cream to simulate the fabric.  Second, the wood structure was painted with Vallejo 824 Orange Ochre.  Third, .005 monofilament thread was used to create the internal rigging.  For this fuselage half, parts added were the observer's seat with signal pistol stowed nearby.  Up front, the compass was glued in place.  The center piece is the floor of the fuselage painted with Tamiya XF-16 Aluminum.  Added to it is the fuel tank and flight linkage including rudder control and the control column.  The right side of fuselage is below.  Installed from left to right is the wireless wire aerial apparatus, the small telegraph key, and up front, the magneto (black) and pump (red).

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No.2

Additional work on the fuselage interior involved only the left side.  From left to right: the camera, the left side fuselage wing struts, the fuel tank, and the pilot's seat.  The pilot's seat belts were upright for painting and will be lowered.

 

TABLE OF FRENCH 1917-1918 5-Color CAMOUFLAGE PAINTS

 

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Bibliography:

Alexander, Richard.  Wingnut Wings Salmson 2.A2 'USAS' Construction Manual.  Wellington, New Zealand, 2014.

Davilla, James J. Dr. and Arthur M. Soltan.  French Aircraft of the First World War.  Boulder, Colorado: Flying Machines Press, 2002.

French Escadrille 259 website page - http://albindenis.free.fr/Site_escadrille/escadrille259.htm (this internet page not yet complete)

Guttman, Jon.  Salmson 2.A2, Windsock Datafile 109.  Berkhamsted. Hertfordshire, UK, 2005. ISBN 1-902207-71-8.

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

Owers, Colin A, John Guttman, and James J. Davilla. Salmson Aircraft of World War I.  Boulder, CO.  Flying Machines Press, 2001.  ISBN 1-891268-16-3.

Toelle, Alan D. "French 1918 Camouflage Colors - Typical Palette", 2001.

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10 January 2025