Gloster Gladiator 1/48

[Second Air Force]

Thanks friends, and sorry about the long time between posts here. I'm finally able to share some photos of the second Gladiator, this one the newer kit from Roden. It depicts one of the Swedish machines that fought alongside the Finns and is one of my favorite schemes for the Gladiator.

Gloster Gladiator 1/48

Gloster Gladiator 1/48

Gloster Gladiator 1/48

Gloster Gladiator 1/48

Gloster Gladiator 1/48

Gloster Gladiator 1/48

This one needs a little weathering yet and is in line with the two Tomahawks.....

I really liked building this kit quite a lot except for the cowling. I simply replaced it with one of the old Inpact cowls which looks more accurate to me and is easier to prepare. I also used the Inpact propeller and spinner so I could save the Roden one for the next project. Other than that, this is a really fine build and the rigging even went pretty well.

I have another of the vintage ones started, so more will come along here in the future!

[No.1]

Excellent, this is one of my favorite Gladiator

[draken35]

[Second Air Force]

Here's some progress on the third Gladiator. I've been able to spend some time on this as we have a bit of snow and cold here and a quiet weekend.

This is another old-style kit, the same as the Inpact I've already built but now packaged by Pyro. The parts inside are identical:

Gloster Gladiator 1/48

I did the same interior additions as the first one so no photos are really necessary of that part. These are really relaxing to build, I must say! Again, I am not doing anything special to this, no contest quality here, just a nice time spent building in a warm model-room.

Gloster Gladiator 1/48

First test-fit of top wing, removed later for painting:

Gloster Gladiator 1/48

First camouflage spray. This one will use another set of decals from the Roden kit, this time a machine that was used by the RAF in Norway:

Gloster Gladiator 1/48

[No.1]

Gladiator mania

[draken35]

[Second Air Force]

More painting has occurred:

Gloster Gladiator 1/48

Gloster Gladiator 1/48

This one has been something of a challenge in the painting department. The plastic is very smooth as it comes from the box and I scuffed it lightly with very fine sandpaper. When I masked some of the different areas and pulled the tape off I took LOTS of paint along. I should have done the scuffing a bit harder with coarser-grit paper. So, if you wish to build one of these vintage kits, take extra care when preparing for paint!

[No.1]

Fast work mate!!!

[draken35]

Very nice!

[Second Air Force]

Thanks, friends!

These Gladiators are almost as fun as the Bf 109 to build, and there are certainly some interesting markings choices! In time I would like to add a Latvian one, maybe also a Luftwaffe glider tug.....

[Second Air Force]

Here are some pictures of this third Gladiator. I've used the wheels and propeller from the Roden kit as well as the decals. Other than that it is Pyro parts and was relaxing to construct.

Gloster Gladiator 1/48

Gloster Gladiator 1/48

Gloster Gladiator 1/48

Gloster Gladiator 1/48

Gloster Gladiator 1/48

Gloster Gladiator 1/48

This machine is one of the initial eighteen 263 Squadron Gladiator IIs that were ferried to Norway by HMS Glorious. Interestingly, the airplanes were painted in FAA colors during the voyage as this was felt to be a better camouflage scheme for the battles to come. Most of these airplanes were lost almost immediately upon deployment.

[No.1]

Great work again mate And it is sunny in your area, no snow?

[Second Air Force]

Yes, the snow vanished quickly. For the next three days the temperature is supposed to be around 17C, but on Friday it will be cold again with a chance of freezing rain.......the weather can change quickly here!

[draken35]

[zetman]

nice and clean...well done!