SoftScience Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 I picked up Airfix's latest rebix of the Gloster Gladiator and it has a paint option for no. 615 sqn plane with two shades of DE/DG on it. I found photos of 615 gladiators and do not see evidence of this painting style. Is this one particular interpretation of a photograph or is there documentation to support this type of camouflage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Dapple Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 Could be it is based on the third picture of this post: Cheers, Stew 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithy Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 The scheme is not pie in the sky at all. Paul Lucas talks about this in Chapter 1 of his "Camouflage and Markings No. 2: The Battle for Britain". There's a photo of the scheme and a 4 view profile as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vingtor Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 6 hours ago, SoftScience said: I picked up Airfix's latest rebix of the Gloster Gladiator and it has a paint option for no. 615 sqn plane with two shades of DE/DG on it. I found photos of 615 gladiators and do not see evidence of this painting style. Is this one particular interpretation of a photograph or is there documentation to support this type of camouflage? Not two shades of DE/DG, but DE/DG and LG/LE. Shadow shading was standard for biplanes both in the RAF and FAA. But often reduced to one set of colours when repainted. Nils 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawk Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 (edited) This is the Shadow Compensating Scheme. The official diagram for applying it to small biplanes uses a Gladiator outline. Edited October 16, 2019 by Seahawk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 I've seen it said recently that the shadow shading was not part of the original camouflage plans, and certainly there seems to be little sign of it on some of the immediate post-Munich repaints. However it is equally clear that this was visible on at least one 615 Sq aircraft in May 1940. So it is possible that the squadron had aircraft in different schemes, possibly even at the same time. Did anyone else see this comment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithy Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 247 obviously had at least one in the same scheme as well as evidenced by the photo of HP-B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithy Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 ...also a photo of 247's N5897 taken at Roborough at the same time is very possibly camouflaged in the same manner as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoftScience Posted October 16, 2019 Author Share Posted October 16, 2019 13 hours ago, Stew Dapple said: Could be it is based on the third picture of this post: Cheers, Stew I see it on Aircraft HP-B in the photos of that thread, but I'm not convinced im seeing it on aircraft KW-T (which is what Airfix's decals represent). There's certainly some overpainted mess on the fuselage sides, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilneBay Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 Shadow shading is a very difficult thing to actually paint. I did the 1/48 Roden Gladiator in it and when combined with the B/W undersides it was an exercise in expletives and perseverance. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hornet133 Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 All Mk.II Gladiators came from the factory painted originally in the 'shadow shading scheme'. Some Mk.IIs were later repainted, also Mk.I Gladiators were often not in the scheme. So you need to check photos of the airframe you are going to model. And look closely as it can be hard to pick up due to wear etc. Many profiles over the years have inaccurately omitted the scheme where the real airframe had it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoftScience Posted October 17, 2019 Author Share Posted October 17, 2019 3 hours ago, MilneBay said: Shadow shading is a very difficult thing to actually paint. I did the 1/48 Roden Gladiator in it and when combined with the B/W undersides it was an exercise in expletives and perseverance. Yeah, looks to be a right pain in the butt, and I don't like the look of it. Time to hunt down alternative decals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengt Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 A little late but attached is telegram with request for diagram for painting Gladiators dated 24 March 1939. And the answer with the diagram (have only attached one of the diagrams). I looks like the shadow compensating scheme was the official one at least. https://imgrpost.com/image/AMuJa Bengt 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hornet133 Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 Read what I said in post #11 - ALL Mk.II Gladiators were painted at the factory in the 'RAE Shadow Compensating' scheme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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