GLOSTER GREBE AND GAMECOCK (MMP: Orange) [Paperback]

Tim Kershaw (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2011 | Series: MMP: Orange (Book 8112)

The Grebe and Gamecock were progressive developments of the line of fighters designed by Henry Folland, starting with the SE5 and -5A of WW1. They served in turn with the RAF throughout the 1920s, and export versions were still in service at the start of WW2, in Finland. Classic fighter biplanes, they were true pilot's airplanes and delighted the crowds at many pre-war air displays. In the colorful markings of fighter squadrons of the time, they were flown by many later RAF aces and senior officers.

This book describes the design, development and use of these aircraft and the many variants and prototypes derived from them. Profusely illustrated with many rare photos, this is the most comprehensive study of these designs yet published. The book includes scale plans, full-color profiles, and detail photos, including many of the Gamecock replica lovingly recreated by enthusiasts at Brockworth.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: MMP (May 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8361421173
• ISBN-13: 978-8361421177
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,685,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

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
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: GLOSTER GREBE AND GAMECOCK (MMP: Orange) (Paperback)

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.