Sopwith Camel F.1
Flt Lt Lloyd Samuel Breadner, No.3 Sqn RNAS, RN
1/48 Scale Diecast Model
Corgi AA38109

Corgi AA38109 – 1/48 Scale Sopwith Camel F.1 Diecast Model

Corgi AA38109 diecast model replicates in 1/48 scale the Sopwith Camel F.1 serial number B6401, flown by Canadian ace Flt Lt Lloyd Samuel Breadner (10 victories). Who later became the first Air Chief Marshal of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). He flew with No.3 Squadron RNAS, Royal Navy, stationed at Bray-Dunes Aerodrome. Located in the district of Dunkirk, Northern France on the border with Belgium. Bray-Dunes Aerodrome hosted No.3 squadron on two occasions, September to November 1917 and January to March 1918.

Lloyd Samuel Breadner

Air Chief Marshal Lloyd Samuel Breadner, CB, DSC

Canadian Air Chief Marshal Lloyd Samuel Breadner, CB, DSC (1894 – 1952) born Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada, received his pilot’s certificate on a Wright biplane on December 28, 1915, and a commission into the British Royal Naval Air Service on December 28, 1915. During World War I, served with No. 3 Squadron RNAS on the Western Front. Promoted to Flight Lieutenant on December 31, 1916, and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on May 23, 1917. Breadner finished the war credited with ten aerial victories and left the RAF with the rank of major in March 1919. In 1920 promoted to Squadron Leader and transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1924. Breadner held the position of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RCAF Overseas during WWII and on retirement on November 25, 1945, promoted to Air Chief Marshal.

No. 3 Squadron RNAS

No. 3 Squadron Royal Naval Air Service of the Royal Navy established in February 1914. In March 1915 the squadron moved to the island of Tenedos, in support of the Gallipoli Campaign and later the island of Imbros. Disbanded at the end of 1915 and reformed on November 5, 1916, as a fighter squadron on the Western Front. The unit disbanded on January 21, 1920.

No. 3 Squadron Royal Naval Air Service became No. 203 RAF with the formation of the Royal Air Force on April 1, 1918.

Sopwith Camel

The Sopwith Camel is a British single-seat, single-engine biplane fighter. The first flight occurred on December 22, 1916, and entered service in June 1917 with No. 4 Squadron RNAS. A successor to the Sopwith Pup the Camel became one of the most iconic aircraft of  World War I. Although challenging to fly, it was highly maneuverable and when operated by a skilled pilot an excellent fighter aircraft. By mid-1918, outclassed by the latest German fighters, the Camel’s role moved to ground-attack and infantry support. The RAF retired the last of their Sopwith Camels in January 1920.

The Camel was of a conventional design for that era, with a wooden frame, plywood panels, fabric covering and aluminium engine cowling. Powered by various rotary engines, but mainly with the Clerget 9B or the Bentley BR1.

The design underwent modified to fulfil a variety of roles, the most numerous the F.1 fighter. Other types were the 2F.1 Ship’s Camel for aircraft carrier operations, the Comic night fighter variant, the T.F.1, an armoured ground attack version, and a two-seat trainer aircraft.

Specifications

The F.1 was the primary and most numerous version.

Corgi AA38109 – 1/48 scale Sopwith Camel F.1 diecast model. S/n B6401, Flt Lt Lloyd Samuel Breadner

Armament

• Guns: two 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers machine guns mounted in front of the cockpit, synchronised to fire through the propeller arc
• Bombs: up to four Cooper bombs.

Performance

• Maximum speed: 182 km/h (113 mph)
• Ferry Range: 485 km (300 mi)
• Service ceiling: 5790 m (19,000 ft).