Kagero Publishing TopDrawings #94 Gloster Gladiator (9788366148864) Kagero Publishing via Casemate UK

[Julien]

TopDrawings #94 Gloster Gladiator (9788366148864)

Kagero Publishing via Casemate UK

 

 

The Gladiator was the last biplane fighter used by the RAF due to the introduction of more modern monoplanes.  The Gladiator was designed in response to an Air Ministry requirements for an aircraft capable of 250mph armed with at least four machines guns.  Gloster decided that rather than developing a brand new fighter they could capitalise on their Gauntlet design. This modified design would dispense with a pair of interplane struts to reduce drag and follow a wing design developed by Hawkers. The "new" aircraft would use the 700 hp Bristol Mercury engine.  The prototype flew in 1934, with the first production aircraft being delivered in 1937. The Gladiator was probably the pinnacle of biplane design with its streamlining, closed cockpit and heavier armament. The Mk II would be powered by a Bristol Mercury VIIIA  engine. The Sea Gladiator was developed for the Fleet Air Arm, it featured the 3 blade propeller, arrestor hook, and onboard dingy stowage. They operated from HMS Glorious, Furious, and Eagle; as well as airfields including at Malta, 

 

While the RAF ordered 180 aircraft the biplane design was really at the end of its life with more modern types being introduced.  The type saw service in France in 1940, and on the home front in the Orkneys. Overseas they were used in Norway and most famously in the defence of Malta.  Here these aircraft managed to defend the Island against superior Italian forces.  Gladiators also saw service in North and East Africa as well as in Greece and the Middle East.  Gladiators would also see combat service in Belgium, China and lastly Finland.   By 1941 the aircraft had been retired from front line service, though continued to serve in communications and weather research roles. 

 

 

We have great kits of the Gladiator available in all scales with the new 1/32 Kits from ICM being very welcome.  The TopDrawings series majors on scale plans, which is the main thrust, but also includes a little background information, some pertinent profiles, and separate A2 sheets printed on both sides with drawings of various versions of the aircraft.  This new publication covers the Mark I, I Tropical, II, II Meteo, Sea Gladiator and J-8.

 

 

The book is written in English on the left of the page with Polish on the right, which translates to top and bottom for the captions to the various drawings within.  The book itself is bound in a card cover and has 20 pages, and the rear cover is devoted to additional profiles of an RAF Machine.  Throughout the book, there are numerous smaller diagrams that show equipment layout such as the cockpit, landing gear, engines and props; as well as the sometime small differences between Marks/

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

These books are essential for the modeller that enjoys comparing their models against scale plans, and wants them to be as accurate as possible, with the separate large scale plans quite useful.

 

Currently (at time of writing) on offer at a discounted price from Casemate UK

 

Review sample courtesy of