FAA Sea Gladiator markings

[phat trev]

Would anyone know of any links on the www showing pre-war (silver wings) markings of FAA operated Sea Gladiators.

I have found that the FAA squadrons that used the fighter were 801 802 804 805 806 (unsure of what squadrons had the Gladiator before 1940)

also, I stumbled over a mid/late war (1942/44?) scheme of grey/green all over. would anyone know of what squadrons may have used Gladiators this late into the war?? radio trials etc maybe??? or a hack?

[Edgar]

Met. Squadrons used the Gladiator quite late, and, being home-based, green/brown would be quite likely.

Edit:- 521 Squadron used Gladiators from August 1942 - March 1943, and September 1943 - April 1945 (can't get much later than that.)

Edgar

Edited September 18, 2011 by Edgar

[ClaudioN]

Would anyone know of any links on the www showing pre-war (silver wings) markings of FAA operated Sea Gladiators.

I have found that the FAA squadrons that used the fighter were 801 802 804 805 806 (unsure of what squadrons had the Gladiator before 1940)

also, I stumbled over a mid/late war (1942/44?) scheme of grey/green all over. would anyone know of what squadrons may have used Gladiators this late into the war?? radio trials etc maybe??? or a hack?

Here are a few links:

Fleet Air Arm Archive 1939-1945

IPMS Stockholm Magazine Pt. 1

IPMS Stockholm Magazine Pt. 2

Pre-war Sea Gladiator squadrons were nos. 801 and 802.

801 Sqn. operated for deck landing training from Courageous, which in the first part of 1939 had relieved Furious as a training carrier. Its aircraft briefly carried the blue diagonal band of Courageous on the rear fuselage with white numbers. From May 1939 no. 801 became no. 769 Squadron and its aircraft received T6x codes. Eventually 801 reformed as a Skua squadron in 1940.

802 Sqn. re-equipped with Sea Gladiators around May 1939. Its aircraft displayed a band of yellow diamonds flanked by thin yellow lines on the upper wings. The yellow diagonal carrier band of Glorious appears in a photo of the squadron CO aircraft (N5519:G6A), but other (earlier ?) pictures show neither band nor codes.

HTH

Claudio

[phat trev]

Nice links and info claudio and Edgar , thanks.

I wonder if I can get decals for 801 and 802 to fit a 1/72 Gladiator?

also need a 3 blade Fairey Reed prop! as I am sure I can have a go at making arrestor gear and dingy stowage..

[Patrik]

Nice links and info claudio and Edgar , thanks.

I wonder if I can get decals for 801 and 802 to fit a 1/72 Gladiator?

also need a 3 blade Fairey Reed prop! as I am sure I can have a go at making arrestor gear and dingy stowage..

Model Alliance Wings & Waves Pt1 for 802 Sqn. (N-5519 but with blue diamonds). Or you can buy the new Sword Sea Gladiator kit. Here the diamonds for N-5519 are correct - yellow.

Model Alliance Wings & Waves Pt2 includes 769 Sqn. N-5500, but camouflaged - thought with the Courageous blue band still on.

I have nice resin prop from A&V Models, but bought it quite a long time ago, they made it together with the dinghy pack as a set.

You can probably try Aeroclub for the prop - they should have it in white metal.

Patrik

[iang]

Model Alliance Wings & Waves Pt2 includes 769 Sqn. N-5500, but camouflaged - thought with the Courageous blue band still on.

Though the markings are entirely spurious. N-5500 was not camouflaged when on HMS Courageous in February 1939. The aircraft was later transferred for DLT on HMS Furious with 769 Squadron between May and June 1939. There is a photo from this period showing the aircraft in aluminium dope and carrying the red fuselage band of HMS Furious, with the 769 Squadron code painted crudely over the band (T6L).

Hope that helps.

IG

[Christopher]

Pavla have just released a resin set which includes the dinghy pack and two and three bladed propellers.