Gloster Gladius

[NARSES2]

Second of my recent builds.

Gloster Gladius Mk I of 254 Squadron RAF February 1941.

[NARSES2]

This is the Magna kit of the Gloster F9/37. One of their better ones although the white metal parts take some cleaning up

Markings are from some generic RAF sheets and the spares box. Paints are Xtracrylic, Tamiya and Lifecolour.

[NARSES2]

From my reading the Gloster entry for F9/37 could have made a very handy fighter, certainly more suited to the role then the Blenheim If. With it's 6 20mm cannon all canted upwards at an angle of 15 degrees she would have been a fairly usefull bomber destroyer once tactics had been sufficiently developed and if in use during 1940 could have taken a heavy toll of Luftwaffe bombers

[NARSES2]

Final pic

I enjoyed this build and am quite pleased with the final result.

I have another one in the stash which may be finished as a Desert AF aircraft in which the fusalage guns are turned about 180 degrees so that they fire downwards and rewards. Make an idela straffing aircraft. No need for gunsight just hit the trigger as soon as you pass over the front of the target 

[Brian da Basher]

Nice one, Narses! I really like your paintwork!

Brian da Basher

[Mossie]

Good work Chris!

[sotoolslinger]

MMMMMM 6 20 MM'S

[Captain Canada]

Nice one, Chris ! That's quite the machine, first time I've heard of it ! Did it ever fly ? Really like the shape of the nose and canopy. And I have to agree with your sentiment regarding her usefulness....she sure looks the part !

[Mossie]

Yeah, she flew, she even gets her own Wikipedia entry!  The two prototypes also recieved Peregrine engines at one stage.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloster_F.9/37

[cthulhu77]

Neat !  Kind of a ground attack plane on steroids.

[Glenn Gilbertson]

A good looking "should have been" - I like it!

[K5054NZ]

WOW! That really is something! I too hadn't heard of it - thought you'd bashed a Beaufighter with a 110! 

Absolutely fantastic work! I love that early war scheme on twins - one reason I like the shortnose Blenheims. Put her on an all-grass 'drome, maybe with a Tiger and a Hurri I, and it'd be perfect!

Congrats, Narses. I like!

[Sisko]

Nice one!!!! I really like the job that you done with it.

[jcf]

Yeah, she flew, she even gets her own Wikipedia entry!  The two prototypes also recieved Peregrine engines at one stage.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloster_F.9/37

Careful with that Wiki, its not very accurate.
It mixes up the origin of the design and the eventual proposed development.

Jon

[Patrick H]

Looking good Chris.