Jonners Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 Hi folks, I built Aeroclub's lovely little Gamecock about 20 years ago, finished it in 43 Sqn markings from the kit's superb decal sheet and rigged it with invisible thread. Three house moves later it was looking very sorry for itself, relegated to a cardboard box in the shed and with parts broken off. I recently decided to salvage it, especially as it fits right into my current interest in between-the-wars RAF biplanes. It was stripped to its component parts and restarted almost from scratch. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the kit, it has injection-moulded wings, tail surfaces and fuselage with white metal nose, engine, prop and detail parts: The soft white metal interplane struts were replaced with brass strut stock and the one-piece kit wheels were replaced with Aeroclub hubs and rubber O-ring tyres. The windscreen was cut from acetate and brass tube was used to represent the guns: I was able to salvage the 23 Sqn markings from the tattered remnants of the original kit decal sheet but had to print my own serials: I used Humbrol aerosol Polished Aluminium and Tamiya Ocean Grey for the finish, matted after decal application by a brushed, thinned coat of Humbrol Matt Cote. The prop was given a wood effect using burnt sienna oil paint over a tan base. The rigging was made using EZ Line. Some parts are a bit agricultural - a competition model it certainly isn't! - but I'm satisfied with the result, especially as it's less than 3 1/2 inches long. I've also just realised that I haven't finished the tail skid! Oh well... Jon 33 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinChipmunkfan Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 Great save Jon on a nice tiny kit. Good to see an Aeroclub model again. The O ring idea is ingenious. Colin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesa Jussila Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 Nice build. Good to see these again. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epeeman Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 Great idea to revisit an old build, Jon - I glad you did, because your Gamecock biplane looks great. Regards Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 Very nice indeed! Great renovation . Since Aeroclub kit is available I think only on secondary market please let me add that there is also another Gamecock kit in 1/72 by Broplan, fully injected short run (not vacu, as could be expected for that company...). There are resin kits as well...(Choroszy, CMR) Regards J-W 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince1159 Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 That's a fantastic restoration,lovely job... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonners Posted January 24, 2021 Author Share Posted January 24, 2021 48 minutes ago, ColinChipmunkfan said: The O ring idea is ingenious. I thought that, when it was suggested to me by @John Aero himself. I can't claim any credit. 40 minutes ago, Vesa Jussila said: Good to see these again I really like those Aeroclub multi-media 1/72 biplane kits - great subjects that require a bit of effort bit can be made into very presentable models. 34 minutes ago, JWM said: there is also another Gamecock kit in 1/72 by Broplan I didn't know that, J-W. Thanks for the information - I may have to consider getting one sometime. Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 This is gorgeous Jon, great restoration work fella. Like the O ring tyre idea too. Brilliant Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swralph Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 Lovely work Jon.😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 1 hour ago, Jonners said: I didn't know that, J-W. Thanks for the information - I may have to consider getting one sometime. Jon Jon, you welcome . If you are interesting my attempt of build it is here Regards J-W 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonners Posted January 24, 2021 Author Share Posted January 24, 2021 Thanks for that, J-W: I was already reading it as you replied! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 Lovely Gamecock! Well worth the renovation. The fabric covered surfaces look very realistic, too. Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonners Posted January 24, 2021 Author Share Posted January 24, 2021 Thanks for your generous comments, folks. I've also just remembered that I meant to add the prominent pale tapes to the struts, as well as the pitot assembly! Perhaps it isn't quite as Ready For Inspection as I thought... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 Gorgeous job Jon,..... it looks superb mate, Cheers Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horatio Gruntfuttock Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 Excellent re-build of a lovely little kit Jonners and you should be really pleased with how that one turned out. I hope all is well in your neck of the woods and that you are staying safe - We are in God's Own Country down here in Oz and have started to have club meetings and even a show in the next few weeks. Getting plenty of plastic over the bench but can't be bothered stuffing around with third party servers when it comes to posting images so I am just a looker-onner on BM I'm afraid. Prefer the simpler OZ-based site, but always keep an eye on the great work that you chaps in Britain are producing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonners Posted January 25, 2021 Author Share Posted January 25, 2021 Cheers @Horatio Gruntfuttock, great to hear from you again! All is well, thanks; apparently there's a bug going round but I and my family have managed to avoid it so far. Very glad to hear that you're well. Club meetings and shows? Blimey, people here look nervous if you pass them in the street! (Those who aren't attending illegal raves and parties, that is.) There's nothing wrong with being a 'looker-onner'; I spend more than enough time doing it myself and being amazed at what other BM'ers are able to produce! Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith in the uk Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 That s very nice Jon , i have one i built years ago as well as the Grebe , i also have the 1.48th version which has all Vac components and a little tricky to build but its getting there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonners Posted January 25, 2021 Author Share Posted January 25, 2021 3 minutes ago, keith in the uk said: i also have the 1.48th version which has all Vac components Thanks Keith. I'd love go havs a serious go at one of the 1/48 Aeroclub interwar kits, but they're like rocking horse proverbial with prices to match! About 20 years ago I bought a Demon kit from John's stand at a model show (I think I bought this Gamecock at the same time) but, probably overawed by the idea of building a serious vacform kit, I sadly never finished it and somewhere along the way it ended up on the great Shelf of Doom in the sky. I still have the bag of metal parts but, now that the thought of vacforms no longer gives rise to nervous tics, I wish I still had the whole kit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith in the uk Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 I hear you Jon , your right about Aeroclub kits being pricey , i am lucky enough to have a Gamecock and Grebe in my collection , i also have the Gauntlet which i am using as reference to convert a Gladiator into a Gauntlet ( i look upon my Aeroclub Gauntlet as a fine wine from the cellar to be savored one day ) As for the Demon we are now blessed with one from AMG , although boxed as a Heart i think many variants can be built from the kit including a Demon . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Keg Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 What a delightful and pleasing to eye subject. Very nice!!!!! Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JagRigger Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 Just taken delivery of a CMR Gamecock as I couldn't find an Aeroclub one ( then one popped up on e-bay the day it arrived ! ) Hope it looks as good as yours Just completing the Aeroclub Gauntlet ( sorry Keith ) and Airfix Gladiator 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith in the uk Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 1 hour ago, JagRigger said: Just taken delivery of a CMR Gamecock as I couldn't find an Aeroclub one ( then one popped up on e-bay the day it arrived ! ) Hope it looks as good as yours Just completing the Aeroclub Gauntlet ( sorry Keith ) and Airfix Gladiator Damm 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 What a beautiful model you have produced, a very well done 👏 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 A great recovery, excellent work ! Wulfman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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