Scout Experimental 5.

"I wonder if people in England realize that the German Air Service is the most popular and feted branch of the Kaiser's war machine because German authorities have imagination enough to exploit its personal side? How many people in these islands can name as many British airmen there are fingers on one hand?"

- Viscount Northcliffe, 1918.

With the exception of decal application, this 36 year-old Revell  kit is almost complete after ten days work. Designed by Henry Folland, John Kenworthy and Majot Frank Goodden of the Royal Aircraft Factory at Farnborough, this prototype first flew in November 1916 and designed to meet the 'Fokker Scourge' in the skies above France.

This is a 1/72nd scale model of the machine flown by James McCudden of 56 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.  McCudden, who was a Major when he was killed when his fighter's engine failed in July 1918, started his wartime career as a air mechanic, eventually scoring 57 aerial victories against the Germans and earning him the Victoria Cross less than four months before his untimely end.