Hello all.
I am looking to build a biplane and was wondering what would be the easiest kit to build and rig as a first try. Although I have built many jets and WWII aircraft, so far no biplane.
At home I have the Eduard Roland CII profi pack, the Gavia P2, Dragon Fokker DR1 and DVII and the Tamiya Swordfish. I am willing to buy another if it is easier.
Where to begin ?
Thanks everyone.

Of those listed the Roland should fit your needs best. Next in line is the Dragon DML DVII, but that's a collectors item so you might want to hold back for a bit. The Gavia Polikarpov I have only seen in the box but it looks fairly straight forward. There's not much supporting the triplane top wing, which can be tricky if you're having one of those all thumbs days but is otherwise okay. *The Swordfish is a major kit and needs lots of time and consideration if it is to be done full justice.

If you're looking for an allied type to accompany the Roland go for the Eduard Nieuport 11. Not only is it in the right time frame it's a nice easy build.

Nieuport 11 ? Okay that sounds great.
Would you perhaps know of some reference material to suit both aeroplanes ?

Oh, thank you Peter. :D

As Stephen says, Datafiles are a good place to start. However, not everybody has them and they're getting a bit pricey lately. A good place on the web for Nieuports is http://mars.ark.com/~mdf/nieuport.html, one of the best OT sites on the net. In anycase the Eduard Nieuport is a great out of the box model so don't hold back for lack of reference material.

Thanks guys.

The EDUARD HANRIOT HD-1. I think this is one of their best, and the one that needs the least work.
The Nieuports are also easy, but I have had some trouble with the vee-struts. Seems like it is easy to get them to make contact in any two of the sockets in the wing, but sometimes difficult for the third. The rigging for the Hanriot is not as self-evident in most of the extant photos published. Use a good drawing instead.

Blue Max DH-2, Camel and SE5a.

Just kidding

If you are a Fokker Fan, hit the Dr. Enjoy.
Do online research and save yourself $16 -30 on a datafile.

However. Once you get a df, you'll never go back. 8)

Another great beginner's biplane kit is Roden's just released 1/48 Gloster Gladiator. OK, it's not WW1 but it fits together well, has a minimal amount of rigging and looks great when finished overall silver! ;)

Vince