1/28 Revell 1917 Spad XIII Biplane

Snoopy's other plane

Gallery Article by Mark Maerz on July 10 2013

 

 

I don't normally build Military models because the majority of them are just too small. I stick to 1/24 and 1/25 scale. Every now and then I do find the odd 1/28 scale Aircraft. I found a Revell 1/28 SPAD XIII a couple of years ago to go with my Revell 1/28 scale Fokker DR1. I hope to get my hands on a same scale Sopwith Camel soon. I also have a Monogram 1/24 scale Rambo Huey Helicopter (still unassembled) and HAD a 1/24 scale Harrier Jump Jet(?) that I loved. All I have left of it is the engine.

 

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I don't know about you but when the first saw "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" back in 1966, I was hooked. Snoopy was my Hero. I eventually collected all of the Model kits and memorabilia.

Okay, okay, back to the SPAD XIII. I had half of a plan for it but no Pilot. Then I found my Pilot but I didn't have a Helmet. Enter Revell's reissue of Dave Deal's Flt. Lft. RIF RAF & his SPITSFIRE. I bought two. After a lot of careful Dremel, filing, widening, filling, sanding, paint and Bare Metal Foil it fit. For the most part. On to the SPAD. Since I had already bought some '79 Pontiac Firebird Yellow which is the exact color used on Chevy Caprice Taxis in the 90's, it was a perfect match for my Pilot's plane.

You can see where I was going with this model, can't you? 

After paint, I had to make Decals to match Snoopy's Sopwith Camel with the addition of "Flt. Lft. Snoopy" on either side of the Cock Pit lid. The only other modification I had to make was to the Pilot's seat. Since the only figure I could find wasn't seated, there wasn't really a need for a seat, just a flat spot to have him stand on and adjusted to the right height so his nose clears. 

Enjoy the pictures.  This was a fun build.

Mark Maerz

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Photos and text © by Mark Maerz