Robert Stuart Posted March 26, 2018 Share Posted March 26, 2018 The Gloster Gauntlet was the RAF's last open cockpit figter. This is Aeroclub's 1/48th Gloster Gauntlet offering, I believe that they had a 1/72nd version too. The box Parts I haven't tested them, but the decals look to be in good shape. The decals are for aircraft from 46 Sqn or from 74 Sqn. I haven't made a final decision on which I'll build yet: the 46 Sqn aircraft had squadron markings on the top wing, while the option is present in the kit for 74 Sqn wing markings, there is a question whether they got around to painting them. AM stuff The seat belts and instruments are left over from earlier projects, while the Vector engine was bought to replace the kit's white metal parts. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bristol boy Posted March 26, 2018 Share Posted March 26, 2018 now that looks interesting, you're right there is a 1/72 version too, I have one stashed away. I always thought most 1/48 Aeroclub bi-planes were vacs, clearly not! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted March 26, 2018 Share Posted March 26, 2018 An excellent choice Robert and the AM bits should make it even better Cliff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted April 1, 2018 Author Share Posted April 1, 2018 This is now, probably, over ambitious, but I'm adding a Roden Gladiator into the mix ... I'll build this as a MkI despite what it says on the box. So far as I can see, the main difference in Roden's kits is the choice of windscreen and of propellor. I'm not sure about other boxings, but this one has the later (MKII) instrument panel so I've ordered a Yahu MkI panel (two, 'cause the second will make life easier in the Gauntlet too). Also on order is a set of Pheon decals for the Gladiator. A comparison of Aeroclub and Roden parts ... darker grey Roden, paler grey Aeroclub The Gauntlet has a shorter fuselage and narrower chord wings, there are other differences, but there is a distinct family resemblence between the two types. I have a niggling suspision that the Gladiator's wing tips should be eliptical, more like the Aeroclub Gauntlet. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoftScience Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Oooh! A Gauntlet! Cool! I have a 75% Roden Gladiator. It isn't a difficult kit. So no, I don't think your choices are overly ambitious. Good luck in your build. I'll be watching these closely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted April 2, 2018 Author Share Posted April 2, 2018 Thanks, as you say, the Roden kit doesn't look too hard - my biggest issue so far is my own lack of planning, lacking the instrument panel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta7 Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 I built the rodin gladiator a while back and it was a nice kit, eduard do a good etch set to spruce it up a bit if your into that sort of thing 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted April 3, 2018 Author Share Posted April 3, 2018 Sprue shots ... Vector's Bristol Mercury Aeroclub's Gauntlet. Interesting to note (at least to me), there are fewer plastic parts in this kit than in the Vector engine. Aeroclub's Gauntlet, metal parts - which do add to the kit's part count Roden transparencies and grey plastic cowling, Aeroclub's vac-form windscreen and resin cowling Aeroclub Gauntlet decals 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted April 3, 2018 Author Share Posted April 3, 2018 Sprue shots Part II, Gladiator ... Roden transparencies and grey plastic cowling, Aeroclub's vac-form windscreen and resin cowling I wont be building any of the options in the box, so haven't included a decal shot for the Gladiator. Assembling has started with the Gladiator's cowling. (Oddly, this was a comfortable fit around a Vallejo paint bottle.) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted April 10, 2018 Author Share Posted April 10, 2018 Well, I've started The Gladiator 'pit I have to yet to paint the compass dial, and can see that the joystick needs a bit more brown. The seat-belts will be completed after installation in the fuselage. And the Gauntlet Not so far advanced as the Gladiator, but this shot does highlight the quality of the Yahu instrument panel. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 Good choices Robert I can reference your Gladiator built too for mine 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted April 10, 2018 Author Share Posted April 10, 2018 44 minutes ago, stevej60 said: Good choices Robert I can reference your Gladiator built too for mine Hmm, I wouldn't put too much credence on my build - I'm, more or less, following Roden's instructions. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 Two lovely birds indeed! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hockeyboy76 Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 Very nice work. You know it’s got to be a Tiger stripe! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted April 13, 2018 Author Share Posted April 13, 2018 2 hours ago, John D.C. Masters said: Two lovely birds indeed! Thanks John, I hope they will be. 2 hours ago, Hockeyboy76 said: Very nice work. You know it’s got to be a Tiger stripe! The Gauntlet? 74 Squadron. Maybe (I have yet to decide), but the top wing stripe wouldn't be used, I cannot find any evidence that it was ever applied. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted April 14, 2018 Author Share Posted April 14, 2018 There is a little progress to note on the Gladiator ... The decals have arrived - these are by Pheon, they absolutely beautiful. I am thinking of having the included profiles framed to hang on the wall - stunning work by @Rowan Broadbent This image does them no justice - In terms of the kit, I've added the cockpit floor and seat, but not the instrument panel (yet) BTW, the compass comes from the Airscale decals sets I showed in post 1. {edit} The cockpit floor and radio (not visible here) are glued to one side of the fuselage. The second side is taped on to act as a setting guide, to make sure they don't submerge beyond visibility {/edit} I've also started building the Vector engine, probably for the Gauntlet By adding just three cylinders I think I can work out how much (or little) to remove from the heads. This photo illustrates a problem I might have - the silver is Halfords rattle can aluminium, which is too smooth for my slow(ish) drying acrylic inks (I'm using Daler Rowney inks). P.S. I'll deal with the flash later 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted April 20, 2018 Author Share Posted April 20, 2018 No progress to report since my last post, but I have been testing paints, for the 'silver' finishes. These are all from Halfords rattle cans ... One layer of grey primer, then two coats of of white or black primer at each end. Each of the metallic paints was applied in two layers as suggested by Halfords. The bottom three stripes in the image show some damage from the masking tape (more obvious IRL than the photos), probably due to waiting the minimum time before applying the tape. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkSH Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 That's an interesting experiment, was the paint applied from the can or decanted? what is the size of the test piece? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted April 22, 2018 Author Share Posted April 22, 2018 4 hours ago, MarkSH said: That's an interesting experiment, was the paint applied from the can or decanted? what is the size of the test piece? Thanks Mark Applied direct from the can. The white and grey primers had been used on other projects. The black and aluminium were applied to the engine (above), but new otherwise. The chrome was new and sealed. The test card is a piece of foam board, bruised at one corner, crudely cut from the main sheet. Roughly four by two inches, and (say) eight mill thick. Note, the tonal values seen are very sensitive to viewing and light angles, the photo is not a good record of what my eyes see IRL. Based on direct observation, I'll (probably) go with aluminium over a white base coat for the fabric and a black base for the metal cowls and Gladiator undercarriage. If any other struts are metal I may use a grey base coat there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted April 24, 2018 Share Posted April 24, 2018 These both look good Robert. I’m particularly keen to see the Gauntlet take shape so will watch on from this side of the world. There’s some cracking builds going on within this GB. Cheers.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted April 25, 2018 Author Share Posted April 25, 2018 Thanks Dave, Yes, there are some very good builds in this GB. I am a slower builder than most, but I have hopes that both the Gladiator and Gauntlet two will be finished soon - I have a couple of other builds in mind, but want these finished first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted April 25, 2018 Share Posted April 25, 2018 19 minutes ago, Robert Stuart said: .... I have a couple of other builds in mind, but want these finished first. Now that's something I reckon I say at least once a day!! Cheers.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted May 9, 2018 Author Share Posted May 9, 2018 Some progress - the Gladiator fuselage has been glued... I added a thin sheet of foil from a Gü pud (blury thing in this shot ^^). So I could include the seatbelt restraint, like this ... Views of the Yahu IP in place ... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 Nice start on the Glad, Robert. That ghosting last photo looks quite clever and very detailed. Looking good. Cheers.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted May 9, 2018 Author Share Posted May 9, 2018 Thanks Dave, just three piccies and photo-shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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