I currently have 3 cats one is 16, one is 7 I have had them all their lives and have recently taken in an 8 month old kitten.

The all eat together and sleep in the same area together without any problem they get on reasonably well. The 16 year old ignores the kitten and the kitten seems to ignore her, but my 7 year old and the kitten play together and roll around together there isn't any hissing and there are no claws out but it looks like my older cat is submitting to the kitten and lying down to her when she approaches to play. I don't like to think that he is frightened of her and was wondering if anyone knew if this was normal playing behaviour? Should I intervene?

We also have a nearly 17 year old and a 2.5 year old and an 8 month old kitten.
Like you the older one doesnt bother much.
The 2.5 year old loves the kitten and he lets her do anything with him.
She pinches his food and nibbles his ear and he never complains.
I think with yours it's the same.
They seem to have a pecking order.
The only time i intervene is when the rolling around and playing gets a little too rough.
I usually hear Chloe the kitten give a little squeak and then I rush in and pick her up. When i put her back down she runs straight to him and starts playing again.
I have come to the conclusion that that's the way they are.
They are always together and they sleep cuddled up to each other everynight.

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I hope that is the case.

It unusual because it is the older cat that seem frightened of the kitten.

its wil be them chsing whos leader dnt worry about it xx

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i dont think he is scared at all. when my 4 year old kitty plays with the 5 month old he often does this and when chasing her and play fighting you can see he is being more gentle with her then he would be normaly.also when he is having fusses and she comes over he will let her have her turn i think he knows she was a rescue kitten and maybe needs it more :P i think its just a cats way of letting the little one "win" like we do with human children.

Aww bless, it sounds like your 7 year old is being a bit of a sweetie and being extra gentle with the kitten and just wants to play.

It is much better that way than the other way around!

If he was scared he would hiss and slink away and you'd recognise that quite easily.

I reckon they are going to be very good buddies.