Scale Models - View Single Post

**GEEDUBBYA** · 15-01-2008

Howdy Dad,

Well, I have three models of the gladiator.....but all of them are by Roden, so i dont think i will be of much help with the lindberg kit, however, I have found a photo, one with the color scheme i think you are describing, note the white/black demarcation in center of fuselage:

here is some info I found on the aircraft too:
11/06/40
First air raid on Malta.
Shortly before 07.00 three Gladiators (N5519, N5520 and N5531) were scrambled. Led by Flight Lieutenant George Burges (in N5531), Squadron Leader A. C. Martin and Flying Officer �Timber� Woods were ordered up to meet the attackers. There were so many targets over Valetta and Hal Far that the Gladiators became split up.
Burges saw nine bombers turning in a wide circle south of the island, obviously preparing to head back to Sicily. Cutting across the circle, he and one of the other pilots (probably Squadron Leader A. C. Martin) gave chase, and he was able to fire most of his ammunition at one bomber without apparent result. These were some of 34o Stormo BT S.79s which had hit Hal Far, and the crews reported that the Gladiators fired from long range. One S.79 piloted by Capitano Rosario Di Blasi from 52o Gruppo was hit in the fuselage.
Five hours later a lone S.79 was sent out by the 34o Stormo to reconnoitre the result of the raid. Again Gladiators were scrambled. This time two went up to intercept. Flying Officer John Waters in N5520 got within range and opened fire. He believed that he had shot down the Italian machine, but in fact it was merely driven away, making for Sicily without being able to complete its mission.
At 19.25 the eight and final raid came in and the Gladiators were scrambled. Flying Officer �Timber� Woods first attacked two different S.79s without apparent result before being attacked by an escorting MC.200 from 79a Squadriglia flown by Tenente Giuseppe Pesola who blasted off 125 rounds at him without result. Woods immediately went into a steep left-hand turn. He circled with the enemy fighter for three minutes before he got it in his sight. He got in a good burst with full deflection. The Italian fighter went down in a step dive with black smoke pouring from his tail. He couldn�t follow it but he taught it went into the sea. Woods was subsequently credited with an unconfirmed victory as the first victory for the defenders of Malta. In fact Pesola�s aircraft hadn�t even been seriously damaged. Evasive action and the black exhaust smoke from the hastily opened throttle had obviously misled Woods.
During the day Waters flew another three sorties in Gladiators, two more in N5520 and one in N5519.

source: http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/malta.htm

I also found photos of several gladiators by searching google images and typing in "Gloster gladiator malta"

I hope this has been of some help to you, if you are still unsure, wait and hear from barry (wonwinglo).

Have a good day,

Greg

15-01-2008	#3 (permalink)
GEEDUBBYA Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pine Bluff, Arkansas Real Name: Greg My Models: model planes tanks and helicopters as well as missiles and rockets Visit GEEDUBBYA's Gallery Posts: 1,002 Images: 329	*Howdy Dad,* Well, I have three models of the gladiator.....but all of them are by Roden, so i dont think i will be of much help with the lindberg kit, however, I have found a photo, one with the color scheme i think you are describing, note the white/black demarcation in center of fuselage: here is some info I found on the aircraft too: 11/06/40 First air raid on Malta. Shortly before 07.00 three Gladiators (N5519, N5520 and N5531) were scrambled. Led by Flight Lieutenant George Burges (in N5531), Squadron Leader A. C. Martin and Flying Officer �Timber� Woods were ordered up to meet the attackers. There were so many targets over Valetta and Hal Far that the Gladiators became split up. Burges saw nine bombers turning in a wide circle south of the island, obviously preparing to head back to Sicily. Cutting across the circle, he and one of the other pilots (probably Squadron Leader A. C. Martin) gave chase, and he was able to fire most of his ammunition at one bomber without apparent result. These were some of 34o Stormo BT S.79s which had hit Hal Far, and the crews reported that the Gladiators fired from long range. One S.79 piloted by Capitano Rosario Di Blasi from 52o Gruppo was hit in the fuselage. Five hours later a lone S.79 was sent out by the 34o Stormo to reconnoitre the result of the raid. Again Gladiators were scrambled. This time two went up to intercept. Flying Officer John Waters in N5520 got within range and opened fire. He believed that he had shot down the Italian machine, but in fact it was merely driven away, making for Sicily without being able to complete its mission. At 19.25 the eight and final raid came in and the Gladiators were scrambled. Flying Officer �Timber� Woods first attacked two different S.79s without apparent result before being attacked by an escorting MC.200 from 79a Squadriglia flown by Tenente Giuseppe Pesola who blasted off 125 rounds at him without result. Woods immediately went into a steep left-hand turn. He circled with the enemy fighter for three minutes before he got it in his sight. He got in a good burst with full deflection. The Italian fighter went down in a step dive with black smoke pouring from his tail. He couldn�t follow it but he taught it went into the sea. Woods was subsequently credited with an unconfirmed victory as the first victory for the defenders of Malta. In fact Pesola�s aircraft hadn�t even been seriously damaged. Evasive action and the black exhaust smoke from the hastily opened throttle had obviously misled Woods. During the day Waters flew another three sorties in Gladiators, two more in N5520 and one in N5519. source: http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/malta.htm I also found photos of several gladiators by searching google images and typing in "Gloster gladiator malta" I hope this has been of some help to you, if you are still unsure, wait and hear from barry (wonwinglo). Have a good day, Greg