Bristol M.1c

by Graham Hunter

Aircraft represents RFC 17 Squadron Bristol M1.c C4913 in Macedonia during 1918. Canadian Lt. Arthur Eyguem De Montainge "Jock" Jarvis DFC flew C4913 to two victories on consecutive days in April 1918. On 25 April 1918 Jarvis put a DFW C out of control over Angista and on 26 April 1918 destroyed a DFW C over Kuakli.

References: Windsock Data File #52 Bristol M1's; Pictures from U of New Hampshire WWI web site – Imperial War Museum's M1.c; U of NH WWI list member Steve Cox's pictures of Shuttleworth's reproduction M1.C; www.theaerodrome.com; British Aeroplanes of 1914 to 1918 by J.M. Bruce; Canadian Airmen and the First World War by S.F. Wise

Scratch Building:

• Cockpit frame made from .8mm square stock after discovering the kit frame was 4mm short. Control column made from .88mm and .8mm rod stock. Mounting brackets and bushing for control column made from .13mm stock and 1mm tube. Throttle/mixture quadrant built from .13mm stock and stretched sprue. Other cockpit details such as aileron control pulleys and cables, fuel pressure bulb lathed from clear sprue, contact switch, seat belts.
• Le Rhone engine built from modified CMK Clerget cylinders, laminated card stock lathed into crankcase, resin cast intakes, cylinder head built from .8mm rod - .13mm card stock. Engine built from over 100 pieces.
• Axle and tension bars made from brass rod attached to kit PE struts.
• Cabane made from .5mm brass tube soldered.
• Rotherham fuel pump.

Detailing:

• Ailerons, elevator and rudder all detached and repositioned with hinge detail added.
• Cockpit frame brackets, fuel lines, throttle linkage and inclinometer added.
• Bungee shock absorber added to axle and struts of landing gear.
• Bungee cord mount on skid and cleat.
• Intake manifold and intakes.
• Rib tapes painted on using Data File drawings as guide and taping off edges of ribs.
• Engine details of push rods, spark plugs and spark plug wires (wire from small electric motor).
• Vickers cocking lever added detail.
• Spinner attachment details (back of spinner) added.

Painting/Weathering:

• Air brushed with Aeromaster and Delta Ceramcoat paints.
• Weathering done with conte pastels and oil paint.

After Market:

• Tom's Modelworks British guns set.
• CMK Clerget rotary – for modified/converted Le Rhone cylinders.