Level 1 Model Kit Sopwith Pup Fighter Aircraft 1/72 Plastic Model Kit by Airfix

Brand new plastic model kit of Sopwith Pup Fighter Aircraft (Level 1) 1/72 plastic model kit by Airfix. Brand new box. Vintage style packaging. Officially licensed product. Contains 26 detailed parts. Does NOT include display stand. Paint and cement required (not included). Manufacturer's original unopened packaging. Parts molded in Light Gray, unless otherwise indicated. Dimensions approximately L-3.3, W-4.3 inches assembled. HISTORY ASPECTS: The Sopwith Pup, serial number N6185, served with No. 4 Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) in 1917, during the height of aerial combat in the First World War. Introduced in late 1916, the Pup quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional maneuverability, light controls, and forgiving handling—qualities that made it highly effective against German fighters of the period. Powered by an 80 hp Le Rhône rotary engine and armed with a single synchronized .303 Vickers machine gun, the Pup proved that agility could often overcome superior firepower. By 1917, No. 4 Squadron RNAS was engaged in operations along the Western Front, flying both offensive patrols and defensive missions to protect Allied observation balloons and reconnaissance aircraft. The Pup’s light construction and responsive flight characteristics allowed its pilots to challenge formidable adversaries, including the Albatros D.III and Halberstadt scouts, with surprising success. Pilots often remarked on the aircraft’s ability to “fly itself,” which gave them confidence in combat and made it a superb choice for newer aviators transitioning to front-line service. The Pup’s time at the front was relatively brief, as faster and more heavily armed fighters like the Sopwith Camel began replacing it by mid-1917. Nevertheless, aircraft like N6185 played a vital role during a critical period of the war, achieving numerous victories and helping to establish the Royal Naval Air Service’s reputation for daring and aggressive air tactics. The Pup also saw service from aircraft carriers and naval platforms, pioneering the concept of shipborne fighter operations that would influence naval aviation for decades to come. This 1:72 scale model captures the graceful lines, delicate rigging, and distinctive naval markings of one of the Great War’s most admired fighters. Perfect for aviation enthusiasts and World War I historians, it offers an opportunity to own a faithful miniature of an aircraft that combined elegance, innovation, and fighting spirit in the skies of 1917.