Thomas Morse S-4 Scout
By Matt Bittner
Windsock Datafile 166
Author: Colin A Owers
Publisher: Albatros Publications
ISBN: 978-1-906798-38-3
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 32
There was a hope that the United States could produce its own single-seat fighter to help during World War I (WWI). While the Thomas Morse S-4 did fly before the end of the war, and was produced in decent numbers, the S-4 just wasn't "enough" to match the current aircraft fighting the war. Instead, the US thought it would do well as an advanced trainer and that's why construction continued. To be honest it wasn't an easy aircraft to fly and it was an effort to keep it flying straight. But since there were no other indigenous single-seat fighters in the US they soldiered on.
It has been a while since not only have I read a Datafile let alone review one. They are still the same, with prose outlining the type and plenty of photos and drawings through out. Coupled with the color profiles by Ronny Bar and you have the definitive reference for the Tommy Morse. Inside you'll also find plenty of detailed drawings along with close-up, detail photos. Most of these are from are taken from some of the 34 S-4s that are still in existence throughout the world (but mostly in the US).
Unfortunately the type hasn't been represented well in kit-form. In 1/72 I know of the TC Berg resin kit plus vac kits from Rareplanes and Warbirds. In 1/48 the only kit I'm aware was the all-resin one put out by Planet Models. I'm unsure of other kits in any other scale. Sourcing either of the 1/72 kits will be problematic: TC Berg was only released in a small batch and the vac kits have been out of production for quite some time. I'm unsure if the Planet Models kit is still available.
So, a decent, "state-of-the-art" kit is still needed, in any scale.
My thanks to Albatros Publications for sending Datafile #166 for review.