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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