Heather Kay Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 I find I have acquired another Airfix 1/72nd Gladiator kit, and I feel I should be able to make the minor modifications to it so I can make a Sea Gladiator for my FAA 1940 collection. My understanding is the Sea Glad carried a life raft in a bulged fairing under the fuselage between the undercarriage legs, and was fitted with an arrestor hook. That sounds reasonably achievable as a conversion, paint and markings aside. While I could make things up and bodge these parts for such a relatively small model, it's nicer if I can get it more or less correct. May I make so bold to ask that if you have a Sea Gladiator model (of any scale) would you be able to provide me with measurements and dimensions to locate the hook and raft fairing? Pointers to clear photos would also be nice. There's no rush for any of this. I just like to let my mind wander over potential builds, and get research and aftermarket bits and bobs arranged some time in advance. Thanks ever so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAF4EVER Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 (edited) Heather, will this help: https://www.google.nl/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjM3rmOrNH8AhW3xgIHHcvNDyMQFnoECCsQAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.roden.eu%2FHTML%2F405.html&usg=AOvVaw0nwpeqgHac0F5xBpkIBife Also found this: Sea Gladiator InterimSingle-seat fighter biplane for the Royal Navy, 38 modified Gladiator II. Fitted with arrestor hooks. Serial numbers: N2265 – N2302 Sea GladiatorSingle-seat fighter biplane for the Royal Navy, 60 built. Fitted with arrestor hook and provision for dinghy stowage. Serial numbers: N5500 – N5549 and N5565 – N5574. Edited January 18, 2023 by RAF4EVER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted January 18, 2023 Author Share Posted January 18, 2023 9 minutes ago, RAF4EVER said: will this help Thank you. It doesn't give me clear dimensions or shapes, but there's some other helpful info there. like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Slowbuild Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 The old Squadron/signal publication “Gloster Gladiator in action” has some drawings of the life raft fairing and arrestor hook, though not to a declared scale. Would need a bit of arithmetic to produce dimensions to 1/72 ! Also a good photo of the underside of the Sea Gladiator clearly showing these bits. If nothing better turns up, I’m sure we can sort something out for you. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulcanicity Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 I *think* I have the relevant resin part from a Pavla Sea Glad conversion kicking around somewhere, I didn't use it as I was modelling N5520 "Faith" and my research suggested the RAF on Malta thoroughly denavalised F, H and C to improve performance. Anyway, if I can find it, it's yours! (of course, whether it's dimensionally correct is another matter entirely!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Russell Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 There is also this https://www.blackbirdmodels.co.uk/gloster-sea-gladiator-conversion-72-1792-p.asp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted January 18, 2023 Author Share Posted January 18, 2023 2 hours ago, Dave Slowbuild said: If nothing better turns up, I’m sure we can sort something out for you. Dave, many thanks for that. 1 hour ago, Vulcanicity said: I *think* I have the relevant resin part from a Pavla Sea Glad conversion kicking around somewhere Ooh, that’s interesting. Thank you. As I said, I’m not in a huge rush right now, but if you turn it up at some point, do let me know. 1 hour ago, Ed Russell said: There is also this Cheers Ed! Currently out of stock, but I’ll follow things up in a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iang Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 7 hours ago, Heather Kay said: I My understanding is the Sea Glad carried a life raft in a bulged fairing under the fuselage between the undercarriage legs, and was fitted with an arrestor hook. That sounds reasonably achievable as a conversion, paint and markings aside At alternative would be to model a Sea Gladiator (Interim). These rarely had a dinghy pack and the arrestor hook was not recessed, but carried externally. So the conversion would only need a hook. In 1940 FAA squadrons (804 in particular) had as many Interims as Sea Gladiators. Interims carried serials in the N22xxx range rather than N55xx range. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 Heather, I have these: If you'd like larger, PM me your email address. Chris 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted January 19, 2023 Author Share Posted January 19, 2023 Chris, that’s fantastic! Thank you. I think with all the info provided I should be able to bodge scratch the extra bits easily. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulcanicity Posted January 21, 2023 Share Posted January 21, 2023 Only just looked, (sorry) but I have found the offending bit. @Heather Kay it's yours if you want it, just PM me and I'll pop it in the post. I'm not sure I still have the arrester hook I'm afraid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDriskill Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 (edited) The book Fleet Air Arm Camouflage and Markings - Atlantic and Meditteranean Theaters 1937-1941, by Stuart Lloyd, is excellent. It has the most photos of Sea Gladiators in one place that I've ever seen, and extremely detailed info on camo/markings changes over time. Edited January 22, 2023 by MDriskill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Kay Posted January 22, 2023 Author Share Posted January 22, 2023 7 hours ago, MDriskill said: by Stuart Lloyd, is excellent I agree. It’s already in my shelf! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestfan Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 On 1/22/2023 at 1:01 AM, MDriskill said: The book Fleet Air Arm Camouflage and Markings - Atlantic and Meditteranean Theaters 1937-1941, by Stuart Lloyd, is excellent. It has the most photos of Sea Gladiators in one place that I've ever seen, and extremely detailed info on camo/markings changes over time. Why is it that people always have to post about excellent books I was not aware of but need to have...😋 Ordered. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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