I’m thinking of trying to build my first aircraft. I like WWI era and I’m looking at Academy Sopwith Camel F.1 (1/32), Eduard Sopwith Camel F.1 Profi-pack (1/48) or Meng Fokker DR.I triplane (1/32). Would one of these be a good choice or do you have other suggestions? Thanks!
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Just looking at the three you listed - have you build cars or armor before jumping in at that level? Just wondering as you sortie listed the brands from easier to hardest, your level of modeler and what kind of project you’re looking to dive into will help answer that for anyone in here probably.
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If that’s going to be your chosen scale, consider that 1/32 WW1 aircraft really need rigging to look right. Make it easier on yourself, and choose something like the Dr.1 or D.VII with minimal rigging to start. Don’t overlook the old Revell 1/28 Dr.1 as a get going project. It’s an okay kit, and can usually be found pretty cheap on the secondary market.
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Do you want specifically a biplane? If not, look at a Junkers D1, no rigging. All metal plane ww1 era if you want a easier first build.
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I’ve built a few cars of the same era - ICM Model T, 1914 Renault Taxi - but I would still consider myself a beginner.
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@AntiqueTroy I made an attempt at both of the Sopwith Camel kits you mention. I failed both times. I had a lot of difficulty getting the cabanes into the right position to allow the upper wing to fit properly. At some point I pitched both onto the shelf of doom. I did get the DR.I triplane built pretty well; as someone already mentioned, it has minimal rigging.
One thing that I believe is a must for biplane builds is a jig - something to allow you to position the model on a lower run by its lower wings, which frees up your hands to work on aligning the cabanes and attaching the upper wing. A jig will also be helpful to the rigging.
If you are going to attempt the rigging, then I suggest to get that started before you try to attach the upper wing. That way you only need to work in the cramped area between the wings on one end of the rigging rather than both.
The best manufacturer of WWI aircraft is quite likely considered Wing Nut Wings, but they folded a few years ago. They had a great line of subjects, many obscure types, but also did a line of Sopwith Camel kits. But … and it’s a big expensive but … prices for these kits on eBay are not cheap. On the other hand, the DR.I you are looking at actually began life as a Wing Nut Wing kit, but was never released prior to the company folding. Meng acquired the mold and released it.
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You may want to look at Copper State models also. They offer a very nicely detailed Nieuport kit. Just something to consider. Also look into Roden. They offer a good selection of kits as well.
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Like everyone else I’d recommend the Fokker tri-plane for its lack of extensive rigging. The 1/28 Revell kit is very basic with a ton of flash BUT it’s readily available and cheap. Two good qualities for your first WWI kit.
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I also recommend the Meng 1/32 Dr.I, for its simplicity and minimal rigging. British aircraft can have fussy rigging which can include double flying wires on the wings. The worst kits to attempt rigging are the pusher propeller types and two-bay designs which have four sets of interplane struts like the Spad-13.
In 1/32 scale WNW is king, but eBay pricing is nuts. Copper State Models make nice kits, but they tend to be PE-heavy so are not really beginner-friendly.
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Thank you all so much for the advice and the suggestions! I’m going to give the Meng Dr. I a try.
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