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In-Box Review
148
Gloster VI
The Promising Underachiever of 1929.
  • Gloster VI

by: Stephen T. Lawson [ JACKFLASH ]

Kit History,

As quoted from the mold cutter and master modelerand Aeroscale member himself Peter Plattner (Golden Arrow);

". . .The making of the kit was a long story. I was nearly finished with the master when I presented it on Scale Modelworld in Telford. It was highly appreciated and I could return home with a nice amount of preorders. In Telford I also met Tim Kershaw runnig the Gloster archives . He provided me with all the information possible to get. Basicaly I started with published drawings by Harry Robinson. Very accurate and helpful drawings. But with the excellent pictures and detail information of Tim I had to rework the whole master and the release date of the kit was heavily delayed.

I truly fell in love with this beautiful aircraft. And as I think the kit looks rather simple it was extremly difficult to master. The most challenging part was the wing root. Not to difficult to master but almost impossible to cast have been the suppoting struts. White metal was to weak supporting the heavy floats. So i decided to cast them from brass. But these struts are almost to thin so we had to do this with pressure molding... You can imagine what these means.

All in all I am happy with the result. Of course the next will be better."

Box Contents,

Limited run. (I received #7 of 500.)
18 resin cast parts.
55 brass PE & metal parts.
decals for 2 aircraft
high quality 16 page instruction booket with colour profiles.
The kit box is a sturdy jeweler's type where the cover fits over the bottom at its top edges.
Cost = € 88.80 in Europe but for export = € 74.00

History,

Two Gloster aircraft (in the 1929 air race) were registered with RAF numbers N249 & N250. They showed promise and high speed, but also had significant problems with fuel supply when banking that led to engine cut-outs. For such a risky business as low-altitude air-racing, this was an unacceptable risk and the aircraft were withdrawn from competition in the 1929 Schneider Trophy, leaving the way clear for the Supermarine S.6 to win. An alternative theory for the withdrawal is rumoured to have been an accident to the lorry delivering the engines from Napier, and insufficient time to repair the damage until the day after.

On 10 September 1929, the day after the Supermarine S.6 had won the Trophy, N249 returned to flight. Flight Lieutenant George Stainforth flew her over a measured mile course for a top speed of 351.3 mph and a ratified world absolute speed record, averaged over four of 336.3 mph. This record was held only briefly, as a later run by Squadron Leader Augustus Orlebar in the S.6 managed to raise it over 350 mph.

During the final Schneider Trophy in 1931, the Gloster VI was still in service with the High Speed Flight for training purposes. (From the Wikipedia free encyclopedia.)

Comments,

An excellent kit with no warp in the resin. Definately a high quality kit. The float / pontoon struts are poured brass instead of typical white metal found in other kits. This is a great boon as it will add strength and longevity to the over-all build.

References,

The Schneider Trophy Story by Edward Eves (Hardcover - Jan 2002).
Air Sports: The Complete Guide to Aviation Adventure by Norm Goyer (Paperback - Sep 26, 2003).
Gloster Aircraft Company by Derek N. James (Hardcover - Oct 1999).

Click here for additional images for this review.

SUMMARY
Highs: Crisp clean lines, excellent subject matter. High quality resin material and keen foresight in the design.
Lows: No beaching Dolley
Verdict: For anyone interested in Schneider Cup contenders, float planes, significant British aircraft or sleek between the wars landmark aircraft. This is a must have kit.
  DESIGN & DETAIL:98%
  CAMO COLOUR:90%
  DECALS CHOICE:90%
Percentage Rating
93%
  Scale: 1:48
  Mfg. ID: WMM48004
  Suggested Retail: € 88.80
  Related Link: Mystery Aircraft Solved!
  PUBLISHED: Nov 09, 2008
  NATIONALITY: United Kingdom
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 90.97%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 91.00%

Our Thanks to Wiener Modellbau Manufactur!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Stephen T. Lawson (JackFlash)
FROM: COLORADO, UNITED STATES

I was building Off topic jet age kits at the age of 7. I remember building my first WWI kit way back in 1964-5 at the age of 8-9. Hundreds of 1/72 scale Revell and Airfix kits later my eyes started to change and I wanted to do more detail. With the advent of DML / Dragon and Eduard I sold off my ...

Copyright ©2021 text by Stephen T. Lawson [ JACKFLASH ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



Comments

Yes, that became apparant when I edited the photo images but its an easy fix. The instrument panel is a combination of a painted acetate film that you paint white on the obverse side and the face is mounted to the back of a brass facade. Nice bit of detail. Mine is curing up as I write this.
DEC 30, 2009 - 08:07 AM
Next I add the floats and prep for the finish. Here is that instrument panel Terri asked about. With the floats attached. Here is where the leveling pays off. head on.
DEC 30, 2009 - 06:40 PM
After masking I begin the priming. This is the brass etch canopy and the resin block you need to form it. Primed for the finish. Note the prop & spinner get their prime coat too.
DEC 30, 2009 - 06:56 PM
Here is the build in a coat of old gold.
DEC 31, 2009 - 02:26 PM
Dear Stephen, You did an excellent job so far. It makes me very happy and a little proud to see this outcome of the kit. Thank you for building it.
JAN 01, 2010 - 06:47 AM
You are entirely welcome Peter! Thanks for sending it to me to build! Well folks it is almost done. The rigging is completed and the decals are on. One note for anyone building this kit. Spray coat the decals with a clear gloss and let dry. Then cut each individual decal out with a sharp Xacto blade. The rudder and serial number decals are commendably thin but will tear badly without a gloss coat over them.
JAN 01, 2010 - 09:40 PM
Coming along very nice Stephen . Rather neat having the forming block for the windscreen , making it easier to shape the part . Looking forward to seeing the finished model ! Hi Peter
JAN 02, 2010 - 12:47 AM
Here is the build is completed. Once again my sincere thanks to Aeroscale member - owner operator of WMM, Mr.Peter Plattner for providing the kit for review.
JAN 02, 2010 - 02:06 PM
Needless to say...brilliant as usual. And the very interesting topic, I didn't hear about that plane before you posted the first news.
JAN 02, 2010 - 09:35 PM
   
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Photos
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  • Gloster VI
    WMM images of 1/48 kit.
  • Gloster VI
    WMM images of 1/48 kit.
  • Gloster VI
    WMM images of 1/48 kit.
  • Gloster VI
    WMM images of 1/48 kit.
  • Gloster VI
    WMM images of 1/48 kit.
  • Gloster VI
    WMM images of 1/48 kit.
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