British Sopwith 1Ω Strutter WWI Fighter, 1916/17.

The Sopwith 1Ω Strutter biplane was the first Allied fighter equipped with a synchronized machine gun. Designed by the Sopwith Aviation Company, Kingston-on-Thames, and known initially as the Sopwith LCT (Land Clerget Tractor), it was renamed ‚ú1Ω Strutter‚ù after the cabane struts as the distinctive W form was reminiscent of half-struts.
The 1Ω Strutter‚ôs first flight was in mid-December 1915, with No 5 Wing RNAS (Royal Naval Air Service) taking delivery of the type first in April 1916. 1Ω Strutters were also ordered by the RFC (Royal Flying Corps). To meet demand for the two-seat (Type 9400 fighter) and single-seat (Type 9700 bomber) versions, the 1Ω Strutter was also built under licence by Morgan & Co, Hooper, Westland, Vickers, Mann & Egerton, and Ruston & Proctor. Sopwith‚ôs and the subcontractors completed 1282 1Ω Strutters of all types.

At the same time France urgently needed a new fighter-bomber and purchased a limited number of 1Ω Strutters from Sopwith. A licence was obtained to manufacture 1Ω Strutters in France, receiving designations 1.A2 for two-seat reconnaissance planes, and 1.B2 for two-seat fighter-bombers. Together with the single-seat version, France built 4497 1Ω Strutters.

Markings for 2 aircraft: (1) No 3 Wing, RNAS, flown by Flight Sub Lieutenant Ray Collishaw, Autumn 1916; (2) No 70 Sqn, RFC, flown by Lt John H Gotch, Spring 1917.

1:32 scale plastic model kit from Roden, requires paint and glue.