Kovozávody Prostějov (KP) – KPM0494 – Avro 504K “Comic”

Description:

Unassembled plastic model kit in 1/72 scale of a British WWI Avro 504 biplane fighter.

The Avro 504K “Comic” was a night fighter variant of the famous Avro 504 biplane, developed by the British during World War I to counter German Gotha bombers and Zeppelins attacking the UK. The “Comic” was a modified version of the standard Avro 504K trainer, adapted for night operations by moving the pilot’s seat to the rear cockpit and replacing the front cockpit with an armament mounting for a Lewis gun. This relocation improved the pilot’s visibility and allowed better control over the gun, which was typically mounted on a Foster rail for easier reloading and firing at upward angles—ideal for night interception of slow-moving bombers.

The aircraft retained the 504K’s reliable wooden and fabric construction, along with its rotary engine, which varied depending on availability but was typically a 110 hp Le Rhône 9J or similar. While the “Comic” was not particularly fast or heavily armed, its maneuverability and ease of handling made it effective in the night fighter role. However, it was soon outclassed by more modern fighters, such as the Sopwith Camel and the Sopwith Snipe. Despite its limitations, the Avro 504K “Comic” played a valuable role in Britain’s early home defense efforts, marking one of the first dedicated night fighter adaptations in military aviation history.

Update with a new decal sheet of KP Avro 504 kit tooled in 2024. The new decal sheet include three British markings dated 1917.