Czytaj recenzję

• Amazon.co.uk bestseller list • 2013-04-09
• www.aerostories.org • 2013-04-09
• Airfix Model World 03/2012 • 2013-04-09
• Scalemodelingnow.com • 2013-04-09
• IPMSUSA.org • 2013-04-09
• InternetModeler.com • 2013-04-09
• Amacon.com customer review (1) • 2013-04-09
• Amazon.co.uk customer review (1) • 2013-04-09
• Hyperscale.com • 2013-04-09
• Model Aircraft 09/2011 • 2013-04-09
• IPMS UK Magazine 4/2011 • 2013-04-09
• Flugzeug Classic 03-2011 • 2013-04-09
• SAMI Vol. 17/8 • 2013-04-09
• Scaleplasticandrail.com • 2013-04-09
• Cybermodeler.com • 2013-04-09
• ModelingMadness.com • 2013-04-09
• Air Modeler 36 • 2013-04-09
• Skrzydlata Polska 5/2011 • 2011-05-25
• MiniReplika Nr 70 • 2011-05-25

• Amazon.co.uk bestseller list • 2013-04-09
  
• www.aerostories.org • 2013-04-09

  The Gloster Grebe and Gamecock were important to the RAF in many ways, although their modest production does not allow them to become among the major aircraft types of the between-the-wars period.

  The Grebe was the first fighter designed and put into service in the RAF after the Great War while the Gamecock was the last wire-braced wooden fighter in the RAF. Having been the backbone of the British fighter squadrons in UK during the 20s, these aircraft deserved to have a more specific publication after the old ’Profile Publications’, dating back to the 60s and the book ’Silver Wings’ published in 1993 treating about all the RAF biplans fighters of the 20s and 30s. As usual the Orange series gives a lot of information to readers, especially modelers and they will not be disappointed in opening the book. All the prototypes and derivatives exports (Finland and Japan) and biographies of key Gloster test pilots of that time are also presented and globally there are not many things wrong with this publication which contains plenty of photosgraphs, line drawings, technical drawings and of colour profiles, for which we can regrettably say that the colours of the different Flights are not explained. Global documentation and available records are sometimes spare for this period, that can explain why the historical part is not developed as expected.

  But in any event, this book blows a fresh air to what has been published on these British fighters so far, being far much more complete.

  Phil Listemann

• Airfix Model World 03/2012 • 2013-04-09
  
• Scalemodelingnow.com • 2013-04-09

  Review by: Geoff Coughlin

  MMP’s Orange series is building up into a bit of a one-stop-shop in terms of reference material relating to specific aircraft subjects - as does the Yellow series - and what a reference resource this is. You can sum this title up in one word: comprehensive!

  The latest “Orange Series” book from MMP describes the design, development and service history of two classic British “between the wars” fighter biplanes - the Gloster Grebe and Gamecock.

  Designer Henry Folland developed these aircraft from the WWI SE.5A, via various “British Nieuport” designs. The Grebe was the first new fighter for the RAF after WWI and the Gamecock was the last wire-braced wooden fighter in the RAF. Wearing the bright squadron colours of the era, these agile and aerobatic types thrilled the crowds at the annual Hendon displays.

  The Nakajima A1N fighter for the Japanese Navy was also part of this family and the final version of the Gamecock saw service with Finland, the last one surviving until 1944.

  All of these aircraft are described and illustrated, with scale plans, photos (including many rare ones) and colour profiles. Author Tim Kershaw is a leading light in the Gloucestershire Aviation Collection’s Jet Age Museum, which holds the Gloster archives and whose members have built a “new” Gamecock from surviving parts and official plans. Detail photos of this splendid reproduction aircraft fill a section of the book. Short biographies of Henry Folland and the key Gloster test pilots of the period round-off the text.

  The excellent colour profiles are a fitting memorial for artist Kryzsztof W. Wolowski, who sadly died shortly before the book went to print. This book is dedicated to him.

• IPMSUSA.org • 2013-04-09

  Reviewed by: John Ratzenberger, IPMS# 40196

  Might as well get this over with right now - THE BEST MUSHROOM BOOK I HAVE READ!!!!

  OK, I'll admit it - the Silver Wings era is my favorite, and in that, the Gamecock is high on my list - so I'm a bit prejudiced. But this book is much more than I expected - it is very well written, very well organized, and very well illustrated. The Grebe and Gamecock are 1920's aircraft; built in small quantities, never saw action - so there simply isn't that much around on them. The author has gone to great lengths to dig out that information and then cover it in a complete and well-organized manner.

  The author leads off with 3 paragraphs that properly fix the aircrafts' place in history and it just gets better from there. The Grebe was the RAF's first post-WW1 fighter, replacing the Snipe. The Gamecock was the RAF's last wire-braced wooden fighter. Both were superb aerobat’s - thrilling crowds at numerous shows and building public consciousness, support, and favor for the RAF during the lean inter-war years which facilitated the ability to quickly build the RAF - equipment, stations, and personnel - in the mid-to-late 30's to win the Battle of Britain in 1940.

  The author discusses the career of Henry Folland who designed the Grebe and Gamecock, and the SE5 before them. He also discusses other related "family" aircraft, such as the British Nieuport Nighthawk and Nightjar, and the Gloster Grouse, Gorcock, Goldfinch, and others.

  Each aircraft gets a history, data charts, many photos (well-placed and captioned), service history, serial lists, production data, structural details taken from service manuals, color profiles, and 48th scale line-drawings. For the arithmetically challenged "true scale" guys, you set the copier at 67%. Sounds like the typical book, but the author has done a great job of "flowing a story" without getting sidetracked by numbers and details better presented in a chart or table elsewhere.

  The appendices provide additional details, a length list of references, and a list of model kits. I'm going through the reference list to see if I need to add any to my library; the model list I have well-covered, if un-built.

  Mushroom Model Publications are doing a great job with this series, having previously published books on the Bulldog and Gauntlet, Fury and Nimrod, Hart, and Gladiator, all nearing or at the end of the Silver Wings era. The Grebe and Gamecock book takes us to the start of that era and here's hoping they have plans to fill in the middle. I'd like to recommend the next books cover the Siskin and Flycatcher - and that Tim Kershaw be the author.

  Highly and unreservedly recommended if you haven't figured it out already. If you are at all interested in "Silver Wings" you must have this book.

• InternetModeler.com • 2013-04-09

  By Chris Banyai-Riepl

  Following the First World War, the RAF found itself with a surplus of aircraft, and the Sopwith Snipe became the standard post-war fighter. The design was dated, though, and by the early 1920s a replacement was in need. While many tried to come up with a Snipe replacement, the new company Gloster came to the forefront with their Grebe. This popular aircraft evolved into the Gloster Gamecock, and both of those aircraft became the staple of the RAF throughout the 1920s.

  This latest book from Mushroom Model Publications examines the story of these two famous biplanes. In addition to these two primary aircraft, the book also covers some of the derivative aircraft, including the Grouse, Gorcock, Goldfinch, Guan, and Gambet, as well as the Japanese Nakajima A1N. Separate chapters also cover the designer, Henry Folland, and the test pilots. Complementing these chapters are plenty of photos showing the aircraft in both testing and operational roles, as well as construction photos.

  Of further aid to the modeler, this book contains some excellent scale drawings of the Grebe and Gamecock, including factory drawings and component sketches. Side view drawings are also included for the other aircraft covered in the book. Completing the book is the usual section of color profiles, which does a great job of showing the colorful markings worn during this period.

  Overall, this is a great addition to the Mushroom line, and one which will appeal to anyone interested in between-the-wars aviation.

• Amacon.com customer review (1) • 2013-04-09

  5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding monograph on an interwar aircraft family, July 3, 2011

  By Jim Davis (St. Charles, MO USA) - See all my reviews

  This book is really outstanding. It is the latest entry in MMP's Orange Series (No. 8112). The book is in the European B5 size, a 6-1/2" x 9", 208 page, square bound card cover. The subject is a between wars British fighter biplane family. The subject is perfect for this format. The Grebe and Gamecock and related designs are small enough that 1/48th scale drawings fit on the pages so that unwieldy unbound foldout sheets are avoided.

  Despite the title the book covers not only the Grebe and Gamecock but the related designs like the Grouse, Gorcock, Goldfinch, Guan, Gambet, and Nakajima A1N series. The text is very thorough covering the background, design and development history, service history, squadron use, personalities, reproduction project, model kits, etc.

  The tables are among the most extensive I've seen in this series. There are numerous black and white photos, contemporary technical manual drawings, contemporary advertisements, line drawings, bibliography, and much more.

  Color is in two forms. The Gamecock reproduction project has many fine close up color photos of what looks to be the real thing. Finally, there are many pages of color profiles in RAF, civil, Finnish, and Japanese markings.

  The only sour note is the understandable but ultimately unforgivable badly colorized photo on the cover.

  Highly recommended. It was the Fury/Nimrod and Hart family books in this series that one me over to MMP in the first place. This is more of the same and I hope there is more in the works.

• Amazon.co.uk customer review (1) • 2013-04-09

  5.0 out of 5 stars Gloster Gamecock and Grebe (MMP: Orange), 18 July 2011 By

  Glenn T. Davis - See all my reviews

  This book has a lot information on Gloster Grebe and Gamecock and history of both aircraft in great detail.

  There are a lot of black and white also color photographs in book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is intersted two biplanes histor.

  Glenn Davis

• Hyperscale.com • 2013-04-09

  Reviewed by Glen Porter

  F i r s t R e a d

  The Orange series books by MMP are the smaller sized publications generally given to aircraft types. This one, No. 8112 by Tim Kershaw, covers the Gloster Grebe and Gamecock, the Grebe being the first new fighter for the RAF after the armistice and the Gamecock was the RAF’s last wire braced wooden framed fighter. The two are very similar, the main difference being the engines and both were designed by Henry Folland who also designed the SE.5A. This heritage can be seen in the tail feathers of both.

  The book begins with an “Introduction” detailing Follands movements from the Royal Aircraft Factory to The Gloucestershire Aircraft Co (Gloster) and the aircraft he designed along the way.

  The next chapter is the first on a specific aircraft titled “Grouse”. The Gloster Grouse was designed to test Follands invention of a “High Lift Biplane” wing which would be used on both the Grebe and Gamecock. The aircraft was a two seater with a Bentley BR2 motor and only one was built.

  “Grebe”, ‘Prototypes and testing’. Looking very similar to the two-seat Grouse but with a 14 cylinder radial engine, the single-seat Grebe was the first commercial success for Gloster. ‘Into Production’ describes the differences between the prototypes and those for production, sub-contracting parts from Hawker, de Havilland and AV Roe plus hiring staff to increase production. “Grebes in squadron service’ details the introduction of Gloster Grebes into the RAF beginning in September 1924. Sub-chapters ‘Navy Grebes’, ‘Experimental Grebes’ and ‘New Zealand Grebes etc., complete the chapter and this is followed by photos and diagrams from the hand book and finally five pages of 1/48th scale plans.

  “Gamecock”. Beginning with ‘Gamecock Prototypes’, continuing through ‘Test Pilots’, ‘Construction’, ‘Gamecocks II & III, ‘Gamecocks for Finland’ and ‘Summery of Gamecock mods’ plus many more and then more photos and diagrams from the manual and 1/48th scale plans.

  “Grebe and Gamecock Developments” covers the follow-on aircraft such as the ‘Gorcock’, ‘Goldfinch’ and finally the ‘Gambet for Japan’. Again we have some 1/48th scale plans to round off this chapter.

  A brief biography of Henry Folland is followed by those of some of the test pilots involved with these aircraft and then “Appendices” covering many subjects but one stands out for me because it is often overlooked by these books.

  ‘Model Kits’ lists past and present kits in the three main scales but I could only find two. Czech Master Resin do a 1/72nd scale resin Gamecock but unfortunately with no decals and Montex do a very complex and complete resin kit of again the Gamecock in 1/32n scale. Both are highly recommended. Aeroclub did both the Grebe and Gamecock in 1/72nd and 1/48th scales but since one of the owners died sometime ago we don’t know if they will be back.

  The final chapter is of the “Gamecock Reproduction” and is the “Jet Age Museums” work on a Gamecock replica with many interesting full colour photographs.

  Last of all are 35 pages of gorgeous colour profiles by Krzysztof W. Wolowski who died just before the book went to print.

  C o n c l u s i o n

  The between wars period has not been served well by the model industry but this book and others may help to show the way. Come on Airfix, if this is not right up your alley, then I don’t know what is.

• Model Aircraft 09/2011 • 2013-04-09
  
• IPMS UK Magazine 4/2011 • 2013-04-09
  
• Flugzeug Classic 03-2011 • 2013-04-09
  
• SAMI Vol. 17/8 • 2013-04-09
  
• Scaleplasticandrail.com • 2013-04-09

  The Grebe was the RAF's first new fighter introduced into service following WW1. Seeing service between 1928 and 1928, it was a manoeuvrable aircraft that unfortunately was not structurally stable; it suffered from "wing flutter" which lead to all operational aircraft having additional wing struts fitted to cure the problem. Powered by an Armstrong-Siddeley Jaguar IV radial engine, developing 400hp, the Grebe's top speed was just over 150 mph and its service ceiling was 23,000 feet (7,000m). 20 dual seat trainers, the III DC, were built as well as 109 production aircraft, which fully equipped 5 RAF Squadrons and were used in smaller numbers by several others; 3 were also built for New Zealand. One of the most famous incidents involving the Grebe was the "parasite aircraft" trials, where two Grebes were launched from the airship R.33 on two occasions in 1926.

  The Grebe was the basis of a number of experimental prototypes. From the Grebe III, the Gloster Gamecock was born. A more pugnacious-looking aircraft, it differed from the Grebe in its fuselage profile, internally-mounted machine guns, aileron profile and, most importantly of all, the more powerful and more reliable Bristol Jupiter engine (425 hp giving 155 mph). The Gamecock was the RAF's last wooden fighter; with production starting in 1925, however, it had been withdrawn from RAF service by the end of 1931. Very highly manoeuvrable, it was somewhat unforgiving of less-able pilots; of the 90 aircraft built for the RAF, no less than 22 were lost in landing or spinning accidents. Two famous pilots who flew the gamecock with 23 Squadron (one of 5 equipped with the plane) were the First World War ace Raymond Collishaw and the young pilot Douglas Bader, who would find much fame later in his life. A developmental airframe, the Mark II was shown to Finland and the Finns then manufactured some under licence, called the Kukko ('Cock'); these saw service until the end of the Winter War. This latest book from MMP covers the development and operational service of both the Grebe and the Gamecock. There are also sections on developments from the two airframes, test pilots involved in the early stages of development and a major building project at Brockworth, Gloucestershire, where a reproduction Gamecock is being built. The book is liberally supplied with photographs and plans to support the excellent text and there are 36 pages of colour profiles. There are also fascinating pages covering what it was like to actually fly in a Gamecock all those years ago.

  In my usual manner, I have chosen a few pages to illustrate the book. We have some interesting photos of Grebes that have come to grief (below);

  [...]

  some truly atmospheric photos of the Grebe production line, along with some structure details (above); some of the Finnish Kukko aircraft, including one with skis fitted (below);

  [...]

  side elevation drawings of the Gamecock (above); some construction photos of the Gamecock replica at Brockworth (below);

  [...]

  colour profiles of Grebes from 19, 25 and 56 Squadrons (above); and finally, similar profiles of Gamecocks from 23 and 32 Squadrons and the Gamecock II prototype (below).

  [...]

  The Gamecock has always been my favourite inter-war RAF fighter, ever since I saw a 1/6th scale model built by Gordon Whitehead fly at the Scale Nationals in 1975. The Grebe has always been a poorer elderly relation in comparison but this book covers both aircraft in a way that you cannot help liking them both equally. It offers great value for money and has easily become the definitive work on the subject, a feat that MMP seem to pull off with considerable regularity with their releases.

  So What Do We Think?

  Quite simply, the best book on any inter-war RAF fighters it has ever been my pleasure to read.

  Very highly recommended

• Cybermodeler.com • 2013-04-09

  By Ray Mehlberger

  Date of Review April 2011

  Mushroom Model Publications (MMP) is based in the UK. They have all their books printed in Poland by their associate Stratus in Sandomierz. This book was sent to me from Poland. It is in English. Stratus also does their own books in both Polish and English.

  This latest book in Mushroom Model Publications (MMP) “Orange Series” describes the design, development and service history of two classic British “between the wars” fighter biplanes, the Gloster Grebe and Gamecock.

  Designer Henry Folland developed these aircraft from the WWI SE-5A, via various British Nieuport designs. The Grebe was the first new fighter for the RAF after WWI, and the Gamecock was the last wire-braced wooden fighter in the RAF. Wearing the bright squadron colors of the era, these agile and aerobatic types thrilled crowds at the annual Hendon displays.

  In addition to these 2 operational machines, a variety of closely related test and development aircraft were produced over the same period. These used different engines, tested variable-pitch propellers and other technical innovations. The Gorcock, Goldfinch, Guan and Gambet are described here. The Nakajima A1N fighter for the Japanese Navy was also part of this family, and the final version of the Gamecock saw service with Finland, the last one surviving until 1944.

  All these aircraft are described and illustrated, with 1/48th scale line drawings, over a hundred black and white photos (including many rare ones) and color profiles. The author Tim Kershaw is a leading person in the Gloucestershire Aviation Collection’s Jet Age Museum, which holds the Gloster archives and whose members have built a “new” Gamecock from surviving parts and official plans. Detail photos of this splendid reproduction aircraft fill a section of this book. Short biographies of Henry Folland and the key Gloster test pilots of the period round out the text.

  The excellent color profiles are a fitting memorial for artist Krysztof W. Wolowski, who sadly died shortly before the book went into print. The book is dedicated to him.

  This book will be essential reading for aircraft historians, enthusiasts and modelers.

  The book is soft-cover and in 6 ½” x 9” page format. It is 208 pages in length. This is more pages than usual for one of MMP’s books of this size. The cover announces this fact by calling the book “Maxi size” and saying “Extra Content”.

  The back cover shows the cover arts for 2 other books published by MMP, Gloster Gladiator part one & part two.

• ModelingMadness.com • 2013-04-09

  Reviewer: Scott Van Aken

  The latest in Mushroom Models Publications' orange series is this rather hefty book on the RAF's first post WWI operational fighters the Gloster Grebe and the Gamecock. These aircraft were bought in relatively small numbers typical of the late 1920s when the massive cost of the war had pushed most armed forces into a rather austere period. The Grebe was one of the RAF's first aircraft to be powered by a non-spinning radial air cooled engine. The Grebe was also somewhat of a success in terms of foreign sales with a number having been sold to New Zealand.

  This was followed by the Gamecock, a natural progression of the series with a more powerful engine and several major airframe improvements. The Gamecock was to be the RAF's last wooden construction fighter with future endeavours constructed with metal framework. Like the Grebe, the Gamecock was a delight to fly and decked out in the colorful squadron colors of the day, performed lively aerobatic maneuvers for air show crowds. It was also a mildly successful aircraft in terms of foreign sales with Finland purchasing a construction license. Some Finnish Gamecocks lasted into the 1940s and for those who have read Carmel J. Attard's recent DB-3M/IL-4 build article, this plane was credited to a Finnish Gamecock.

  In addition to the the major types, there are sections on variations on the theme that include the Gorcock, Goldfinch, Guan and Gambit. This also includes the Japanese A1N naval fighter.

  As with all books in this series, in addition to a strong history section, there are sections that show the inside story of the aircraft. As there are no extant period airframes, this is done using illustrations from the technical manuals of the time. These are quite complete and show every aspect of these two aircraft. There is also full color coverage of the reproduction Gamecock recently completed in March of this year.

  You would expect full airframe and other technical data and a production summary is included. You'll also find biographies of the designer, Henry Folland as well as information on all of Gloster's test pilots of the time. 1/48 scale drawings are also part of the package as well as several pages of superbly drawn color profiles of the aircraft described in the text.

  Like other MMP books, this one is all any modeler or aircraft enthusiast needs on the type. Another outstanding edition and one I give my highest recommendation.

• Air Modeler 36 • 2013-04-09
  
• Skrzydlata Polska 5/2011 • 2011-05-25
  
• MiniReplika Nr 70 • 2011-05-25