KPM Kovozavody Prostejov Hobby Plastic Model Kit Sopwith Dolphin “Special Markings” — 1:72

Manufacturer

Kovozávody Prostějov (KP) is a Czech model manufacturer with a long history of producing aircraft kits, particularly subjects associated with Czech and European aviation. This KPM274 release is a later-generation tooling of the British First World War Sopwith Dolphin in 1:72 scale. HobbyLink Japan identifies it as a completely new mould and gives the release date as 16 November 2021.

The kit is catalogued under product number KOV72274 by European retailers, while the manufacturer's kit designation is KPM274. The exact EAN 8592942102741 is independently recorded against this kit.
Kit contents

The KPM274 is an injection-plastic 1:72 aircraft kit. The “Special Markings” boxing includes decal options covering three different operators:

Royal Air Force

Royal Canadian Air Force

Royal Naval Air Service

HobbyLink Japan specifically describes the kit as a completely new mould and confirms the three national/operator decal options. The product is supplied as an unassembled plastic model requiring normal modelling assembly and finishing.

The boxed product weighs approximately 100–120 g, depending on retailer packaging measurements.
History of the full-size aircraft

The Sopwith Dolphin was a British single-seat fighter developed during the First World War by the Sopwith Aviation Company. It was designed to provide the Royal Flying Corps with a modern fighter powered by a water-cooled inline engine rather than the rotary engines used by many earlier Sopwith fighters.

The prototype first flew in May 1917. The design used a distinctive unequal-span biplane arrangement, with the upper wing positioned unusually low in relation to the cockpit. This arrangement gave the pilot an improved upward field of view compared with many contemporary fighters.

Power came from the 200 hp Hispano-Suiza 8F engine. The Dolphin normally carried two synchronised 7.7 mm Vickers machine guns, while some aircraft could additionally carry one or two Lewis guns. Retailer historical data records approximately 1,400 aircraft produced during 1917–1918.
Combat service

The Dolphin entered operational service with the Royal Flying Corps in 1918. It was used primarily as a fighter on the Western Front and participated in the intense air fighting of the final year of the First World War.

Its relatively powerful engine and good performance gave it useful speed and climb characteristics. The aircraft's unusual cockpit position and upper-wing arrangement also gave pilots a good view above the aircraft.

However, the Dolphin had characteristics that made it less popular with some pilots. The unusual cockpit arrangement could make emergency evacuation difficult, while the engine installation and associated starting procedure were also criticised. Contemporary operational experience ultimately led to the Dolphin having a relatively short frontline career compared with some of its contemporaries.

The Dolphin nevertheless achieved combat success and was operated by several British squadrons during 1918. Following the end of the First World War, the type was rapidly withdrawn from British service as newer fighters became available.
International service

An interesting aspect of the Dolphin's history is its use outside Britain.

Dolphins served with the Canadian and United States air services, while aircraft were also operated in Poland after the First World War. This makes the KP “Special Markings” boxing particularly useful for modellers interested in aircraft beyond standard British RFC/RAF markings.

The aircraft's relatively short production and service life means surviving original Dolphins are extremely rare, adding to the historical interest of the type.