Grumman Gulfhawk by Monogram

1/32 scale
Kit No.6053
Retail: $35.00
Decals: One version
Comments: Raised panel lines and rivet detail; canopy can slide open; movable ailerons, elevators and rudder; landing gear retracts when propeller is turned; includes figure of stunt pilot Major Al Williams

History

One of the most exciting aerobatic aircraft of the 20th Century was the Grumman Gulfhawk II, built by Grumman in Bethpage, Long Island, for the Gulf Oil Companies. It was delivered to Roosevelt Field, Long Island, in December 1936, to be used by Major Alfred “Al” Williams, former naval aviator and Marine, who at the time was head of Gulf’s aviation department. The Gulfhawk II was painted bright orange, with the fuselage having blue trim and the wings black-edged white stripes radiating rearward and outward on the top surface of the upper wing and the bottom surface of the lower wing.

This sturdy little biplane nearly matched the F3F standard fighter that was in service with the U.S. Navy at that time. The Gulfhawk II was powered by a Wright Cyclone R-1820-GI 1,000-hp engine equipped with a three-blade Hamilton-Standard propeller. The wings, of unequal span and like those of the earlier F2F-1, were aluminum spars and ribs covered with fabric. The fuselage was of monocoque construction covered with a 0.032-inch aluminum alloy, and could accommodate only the pilot. Modifications were made during construction to withstand the high-load factors encountered during aerobatics, and the aircraft was equipped for inverted flying for periods of up to half an hour.

For twelve years, from 1936 to 1948, the plane thrilled many an air show spectator throughout the United States and Europe. It was a feature attraction at such meets as the Cleveland Air Races, the Miami All-America Air Show, and the New York World’s Fair, demonstrating precision aerobatics and the then-new technique of dive bombing.

In 1938 the Gulfhawk II was crated and shipped to Europe. Aviation enthusiasts in England, France, Holland, and Germany were treated to Major Williams’ daring maneuvers in the colorful little biplane. During this overseas visit the only other person ever to fly the Gulfhawk II, the famous German World War I ace Ernst Udet, piloted the aircraft over Germany. In exchange, Major Williams became the first American to fly the vaunted Messerschmitt Bf 109.

The Gulfhawk II was also used as a flying laboratory. It was the plane in which a new pilot’s throat microphone was tested in 1937, and during Word War II, the Gulfhawk II was used to test oils, fuels, and lubricants under extreme operating conditions. Many aviation cadets viewed the aircraft during its three-month tour of flight-training fields in 1943. Major Williams made the tour at the request of Gen. H. H. Arnold to demonstrate airmanship and precision aerobatic flying.

On October 11, 1948, Major Williams took the Gulfhawk II on its last flight. At Washington National Airport, he took his plane through a demonstration of aerobatics, and then taxied to a strip adjacent to the airport administration building where he shut off the engine and removed the stick, formally decommissioning the historical airplane. It was then presented to the Smithsonian Institution and became part of the National Air and Space Museum’s collection.

The Kit

The Grumman Gulfhawk is molded in orange and silver plastic and consists of 75 parts, including two clear parts for the windscreen and canopy. One ingenious feature of this kit is the inclusion of gears synchronizing the turning of the propeller with the operation of the main landing gear. The construction of the gears, Steps 1 through 7, must be undertaken with care so as not to cement parts that are intended to move.

The instructions are clear and easily understood, with the only point of criticism of the kit being that at 1/32 scale, the pilot’s seat could be more detailed (it has no seat straps) and Monogram chose to provide a decal in lieu of any molded detail on the main instrument panel. However, on the plus side, a separately molded control stick and rudder pedals are part of the cockpit assembly.

The engine face bears fairly detailed molding of pistons and is to be cemented to a firewall, then that assembly is cemented inside the one-piece cowling. The three-bladed propeller includes the airscrew and is a single piece, with a small gear to be cemented to the end of the shaft to connect the prop to the landing gear. The kit features separately mounted ailerons and rudder, and unlike many biplane kits, has N struts of sufficiently rugged construction that there will be no doubt of the ability to bear with weight of the upper wing.

Markings

The kit decals are beautifully preserved with a rugged semi-gloss finish. The blue and white markings show no evidence of yellowing or fading, have vibrant color, and are perfectly in register. As this kit dates to 1983 and the decals have not been sealed in any way, it is a minor miracle that they show no signs of oxidation.

Conclusion

This is a great kit with some unique features harking back to the Golden Age of Aviation. Highly recommended.

References

• National Air & Space Museum online
• majoralwilliams.weebly.com
• skytamer.com