1/72 Gloster Gremlin

[McGreig]

Like everybody else says - just wonderful!      

[Eddie M.]

BdaB,
Another outstanding build! It's a pleasure to watch you work. B) :salute:
   Eddie  

[Sisko]

Top build sir!!!!  

[lancer]

Amazing build Brian...

[kitbasher]

Aaah flip, I thought!!!  I've got a 'Gloster Gremlin' on the backburner but it don't look like that, fortunately.  Time for a new name, methinks.  

[Brian da Basher]

Aaah flip, I thought!!!  I've got a 'Gloster Gremlin' on the backburner but it don't look like that, fortunately.  Time for a new name, methinks.

The last time I checked "Gloster Gargoyle" was still available.

Brian da Basher

P.S. Believe it or not, that name was actually in the running. There just aren't too many unused 'G' names out there.

[kitbasher]

Aaah flip, I thought!!!  I've got a 'Gloster Gremlin' on the backburner but it don't look like that, fortunately.  Time for a new name, methinks.

The last time I checked "Gloster Gargoyle" was still available.

Brian da Basher

P.S. Believe it or not, that name was actually in the running. There just aren't too many unused 'G' names out there.

'My' Gremlin's background ('Gargoyle' from now on, I guess) is as follows:

A contemporary of the Fokker D.XXI, the Gremlin represented the crossroads of mainstream fighter design in Britain, at which the classic biplane of the 1920s and 30s RAF gave way to the more heavily-armed monoplane fighters of the late 1930s, namely the Hurricane and Spitfire.
Glosters had originally planned to develop a refined version of their SS.19B Gauntlet (the SS.37, reputedly to have been called the 'Gladiator') in response to specification F.7/30, but halfway through design refinement decided to move to a monoplane configuration.  The resultant Gremlin I (ordered to specification F.14/35) consisted of a refined Gauntlet fuselage and tailplane, and retained a fixed undercarriage (albeit in a much more streamlined form than the Gaunlet's).  Powered by a Bristol Mercury engine driving a fixed-pitch two-bladed wooden propeller, design innovations included a fully enclosed cockpit and wing-mounted armament (6 x Browning .303 machine guns).
Only one squadron (No 72 Sqn) equipped with the Mk I, forming in February 1937 at RAF Church Fenton.  Such was the rapid pace of development that the next squadron to equip (No 3 Sqn in July 1937) received the definitive Perseus-engined Gremlin II.  The Mk II (which also featured a three-bladed propeller) represented the production standard, with deliveries continuing until December 1939.
Some 15 Squadrons and several Flights eventually operated the Gremlin.  Although by the outbreak of the Second World War it had been generally superseded in Fighter Command by the more advance Hurricane and Spitfire in the day fighter role, the type saw limited action in the Battle of France.  Gremlins remained in front line service overseas until 1942, and in second-line service at home as late as March 1945.  
Gremlins were also operated by the air arms of  Belgium, China, Egypt, Finland, Free France, Greece, Iraq, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, South Africa and Sweden.

Pics to follow when the thing gets done.  And as for my X-wing Spitfire and autogyro Spitfire (the Westland Dragon)............    

[Brian da Basher]

I'm really looking forward to seeing that Gloster Gremlin/Gargoyle/Griffon/Goblin whatever when you get it done kitbasher. That backstory piqued my interest.

Brian da Basher

[AeroplaneDriver]

As you know Brian, this time period isnt my favorite, but I love the way you can turn a pontoon into a fuselage.  Very nice looking machine!

[Leigh]

Very very cool ! And was that an Eddie Izzard quote I spied?

Correct me if you've already gone and built this (you do build alot you know it's hard to keep up) but how about a streamlined design like that then you go and muck it up with a big ole honking radial and cowl ring like a peashooter?