The Salmson 2 (when I first read up on this plane, the histories I read called it the SA2) was one of the primary reconnaissance planes of the French Air Arm during the last two years of World War One. It also flew as a light bomber and twin seat fighter, similar in the role to the Bristol F.2. The Salmson also served with the American Expeditionary Force’s airborne reconnaissance units. Post war, it served with various air arms and was produced in Czechoslovakia and Japan.

Designed as a replacement for the Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter which was flown by the French air arm. Also notable because it carried one of the first non rotary radial engines ever used in an airplane and also had the first ever self sealing fuel tanks which all but eliminated the greatest fear to the aircrew which was fire. Throw in the strong construction and design, the Salmson became popular among its crews.

It had the same problem as its contemporary DH4 where the observer/gunner was positioned too far from the pilot which hampered communication and would continue to be a problem till someone invented the intercom.

Wingnut Wings delivered late last year a plane I’ve always wanted to build ever since I read a book on World War One aviation as a kid. I was somewhat surprised no one kitted one as an injection molded model in the scales I build in which is mostly 1/48 and sometimes 1/32 (Gaspatch models recently released a 1/48 scale version.) One of the features that really caught my attention was the cowling with the radiator shutters which made it unique among WW1 aircraft.

The kit contains 163 well detailed and flash free parts on seven sprues of grey plastic and one sprue of clear plastic for the clear parts. It also contains a fret of PE for various details including seatbelts and detail parts for the rear gun mount. The decals are from Cartograf containing five different paint schemes (four French and one post war Japanese Scheme.)

Wingnut Wings provides a color booklet of instructions. They are best instructions in the modeling world as they provide not only detailed parts placement but also color photos of said areas. It includes a well done rigging diagram.

Wingnuts Wings really does a wonderful job with this kit. I haven’t had any issues with the Wingnuts Wings kits I’ve built (two) and I haven’t read anything troubling about other Wingnut Wings kits so I’m going to assume that that trend continues but will let you know when I write the review. If you like World War One aviation models then the Salmson 2 kit should be on your list. Highly recommended but probably not for the beginner World War One modeler as the PE and rigging can be a hassle if you don’t have experience with either.

Sure it seems expensive, but I think you get a lot for your money and there is still free world wide shipping from WnW.

Information gleaned from Wiki and the Wingnut Wings instruction booklet.

Dan Lee

June 2016

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This kit was purchased with funds from my meager wallet.

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