The Gloster Gladiator
A Detailed Guide to the RAF’s
Last Biplane Fighter

by Richard A. Franks

Valiant Wings Publishing
Airframe Album No.12

Reviewed by Graham Carter

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This A4 soft-cover book gives the modeller an enormous amount of information in words, images and drawings. Anyone building the newish Airfix 1/72 or older Heller, Matchbox or HobbyBoss kits in all their iterations, any of the 1/48 kits from Merit ( and the squillion copies) and Eduard/Roden, or the gorgeous Siver Wings kits in 1/32 (resin) and 1/24 (vacform) will find this book an inspiration.

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The books is in 6 sections:

1. An Introduction detailing the development history and operational use by British and a number of foreign forces,

2. Technical Description covering in detailed photographs, mostly colour, all aspects of the airframe divided into sections such as Fuselage, Cockpit and Wings

3. Evolution - a 14-page set of isometric drawings illustrating the variations in the airframe with the changing Marks and users

4. Camouflage and Markings which covers an enormous number and variety of pre- and wartime users of the Gladiator and Sea Gladiator in Drawings by Richard Caruana, aided by photos and notations

5. A builders guide to the Silver WIngs 1/32 resin kit by Steve Evans, and

6. Appendices covering a list of all kits that have been available, accessories and masks, decals and a very useful bibliography.

This is quite a package and frankly (no pun intended Richard!) the modeller probably doesn’t need more than this book.

Photos are clear and well-captioned, most being in colour from museum and restored examples, along with some B & W contemporary shots. Drawings are also well-presented, and Mr. Caruana’s side views will give the modeller a plethora of choices. Steve needs no introduction and his build is well illustrated and he notes some of the issues to watch for as well as how to add any enhancements to an already great kit. I have five Gladiators (1/72) in the stash and this book gives me an embarrassment of riches! So many choices! If you are going to build a Gladiator, get this book.

This is a a most welcome detailed coverage of a significant aeroplane in the pre- and early years of WWII. Any modeller in any scale who is going to build a Gladiator should think seriously about laying their hands on one of these. Anyone just interested in the technology of the type will find the information here enlightening as well.

Thanks to Valiant Wings Publishing for the sample.

Review Copyright © 2018 by Graham Carter
This Page Created on 14 March, 2018
Last updated 14 March, 2018

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