KITS 01/2023
B5406, Lt. Sadhar H. Malik, No. 28 Squadron RFC, Droglant, France, October 1917
Sadhar Hardit Malik became the first Indian to fly as
a pilot with the RFC in the WWI. He travelled to England
from Punjab at the age of 14 to attend preparation school
and college studies at Balliol College. After his graduation in 1915 he applied to join the RFC but was denied.
He then served with the French Red Cross in 1916 as an
ambulance driver and still determined to fly he applied
to join the Aéronautique Militaire in 1916. When his Oxfortd tutor Francis Urquhart learned about it, he considered
it scandalous and wrote to head of the RFC General Henderson. The intercession paid off and Malik was accepted
as an air cadet. On April 6, 1917, he received a temporary
commission as a second Lieutenant in the RFC and was
trained as a pilot. His first assignment was with No. 26 Sqn
from July 13, 1917. As an observant Sikh, he wore a turban
instead of a helmet, later covered by specially designed
flying helmet. Malik was transferred to No. 28 Sqn in 1917
and managed to score his first victory on October 18. Just
Recommended:
eight days later he scored another kill but was wounded
in his right leg. He was set to get back to the action after
convalescence, but he was diagnosed as having an allergy
to the Sopwith Camel’s castor oil lubricant. Due to that
he spent rest of the war flying Bristol F.2b Fighters and
returned to India after the end of the hostilities to serve in
the Indian Civil Service. He was very successful and held
several trade and diplomatic posts, namely as Indian Ambassador to France. He died on October 31, 1985.
Cat. No. 648659
for Sopwith F.1 Camel (Clerget) 1/48
FE1215
Sopwith Camel seatbelts STEEL (PE-Set)
FE1323
Sopwith Camel F.1 Camel (Clerget) Weekend (PE-Set)
644116
Sopwith Camel LööK (Brassin)
648657
Sopwith Camel wheels type 1 (Brassin)
648658
Sopwith Camel wheels type 2 (Brassin)
648659
Sopwith Camel seat (Brassin)
648660
Sopwith Camel Vickers Mk.I gun (Brassin)
648661
Sopwith Camel US Colt Vickers gun (Brassin)
648662
Sopwith Camel 20lb bomb carrier (Brassin)
648674
Sopwith Camel Rotherham air pumps (Brassin)
648676
Sopwith Camel Clerget engine PRINT (Brassin)
Cat. No. 644416
3DL48038 Sopwith Camel SPACE (3D Decal Set)
EX879
Sopwith Camel (Mask)
Cat. No. 648661
Cat. No. 648676
January 2023
INFO Eduard
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