It’s a start: the forward fuselage of Gladiator N5914, with the fuel tank still in place and the engine bulkhead visible behind it.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Gladiator - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

A detail shot of the rudder, elevator and rear fuselage. The attachment of the fin post to the top longerons, the unique pivotal mounting of the tailplane rear spar and the tubular wooden spars of the rudder and elevators, with their simple hingeing, were all inherited directly from the Nighthawk via the Grebe.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Gamecock - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1925

The unusual attachment of the rear centre-section spar, inherited from the Nighthawk. The spar is bolted to the underside of the longerons, and forms the attachment point for the undercarriage radius rods. Below the spar may be seen the triple pulleys which carry the twin rudder and tailskid cables clear of the ammunition tank, yet to be fitted, which will be slung from the brackets aft of the ply bulkhead.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Gamecock - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1925

The shape of things to come. Gamecock J7910 displays its jaunty lines at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at Martlesham Heath in the summer of 1927. This photograph was taken after the installation of auxiliary vee struts outboard of the interplane struts to combat wing flutter - a phenomenon which will have to be watched for in any flying replica.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Gamecock - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1925

Another view of Gamecock J7910, taken just before installation of the anti-flutter struts.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Gamecock - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1925

Tis view of the tail unit shows the cat’s cradle of fuselage bracing wires and the spindled longerons, struts and cross-members. Curved formers and stringers added in the next stage will fill out the fuselage to the familiar rotund form of the Gamecock. Also clearly visible below the 9ft-span tailplane’s leading edge is the tail trim adjusting gear. Open-jawed brackets on the tailplane front spar engage phosphor-bronze blocks, swivel-mounted on nuts, driven vertically by Acme-threaded worms. The worms are rotated about the steel struts by a chain (not present) which passes round both sprockets and is connected by cables to the tail-trim lever in the cockpit. Vertical posts, mounted above and below the spar, carry the tailplane front bracing wire attachments.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Gamecock - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1925

Prominent in this view of the Gamecock’s front fuselage and cockpit area are the tail-trim hand-lever and quadrant. Note the rubber-in-compression springing at the top of the undercarriage front leg - and also the inch-thick ply bulkheads.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Gamecock - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1925

An illustration from AP1299 showing the instrument-panel bulkhead. Tantalisingly, the manual does not include a full instrument layout diagram - can any readers help?

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Gamecock - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1925

The fuselage is given the red carpet treatment (well, pink) for the dedication ceremony on August 9, 1998. The Bristol Jupiter engine was overhauled to static exhibition standard by the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust. Although the propeller is genuine Gamecock, in service the blades would have been fabric covered and doped. The red ribbon was cut by Mrs Ida Robinson, daughter of A. W. Martyn, co-founder of the Gloucestershire Aircraft Company.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Gamecock - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1925

Spectators provide scale to the Gamecock fuselage at the dedication ceremony on August 9, 1998, outside the hangar which temporarily houses GAC's Jet Age Museum. That Bristol Jupiter radial engine is 53in in diameter. The port undercarriage front leg remains without its fairings to show the rubber shock-absorber arrangement.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Gamecock - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1925

Mrs Ida Robinson, daughter of A. W. Martyn, seen here with his grand son, John Whitaker, after cutting the ribbon at the dedication ceremony for GAC’s Gamecock replica. This sprightly lady celebrated her 100th birthday on the same day!

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Gamecock - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1925

A side-view illustration from the AP showing internal equipment - in effect a two-dimensional precursor of the perspective cutaway drawings seen in the feature on J.H. Clark elsewhere in this issue.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Gamecock - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1925

The junction of the undercarriage struts and axle as illustrated in the AP.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Gamecock - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1925