Corgi AA38105 Sopwith Camel – F2137, Capt D R MacLaren, 46 Sqn RFC, Athies, October 1918

Donald Roderick MacLaren joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1917 and received his pilot’s wings following initial training in his native Canada. He then travelled to England to enhance his flying techniques before crossing to France where he joined 46 squadron to fly Sopwith Camel fighters. MacLaren claimed his first victory on March 6th 1918 and on March 21st he carried out a successful bombing raid on a large German railway gun. While flying back to friendly lines he downed two enemy aircraft and an observation balloon and for this action he was awarded the Military Cross. Further displays of skill and bravery over the following months saw MacLaren receive a Bar to the Military Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Distinguished Service Order. During this period he had also taken command of 46 squadron and been promoted to the rank of Major. Donald MacLaren was the highest scoring Camel Ace of the First World War achieving 54 victories and recording 18 of these while flying Sopwith Camel D6418, the subject of our model. The model features a wood-grain effect propeller