Gloster Gladiator I 74(Tiger)Sqn

[TallEng]

Gloster Gladiator I K6147, 74Sqn RAF Hornchurch, June 1937.
February 1937 and No 74 Sqn began receiving brand new Gladiators
Fresh off the production line, it didn't take long before they applied one
Of the most startling and original squadron markings ever seen on a biplane
Fighter.





Their colorful squadron commander (Sqn Ldr D S 'Brookie' Brookes)
Authorized a system of alternate black and yellow triangles which symbolized
A tiger's stripes, complementing the tiger's face incorporated in the squadron
Badge, officially awarded in February 1937.



The markings are from Model Alliance 'Wings of Silver' pt 1, which I originally got for my 3 Sqn Hurricane
http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,30999.0.html if your interested.
It's the rather splendid Airfix kit, which despite Narses warnings I still managed to fit the engine the wrong way round, and then to top that started to fit the cowlings back to front
Still despite all that I've managed to finish it
My first Biplane since...... I'm sure I tried to make one of the Airfix Bulldogs once, but found that I suffered from
Biplanephobia
As you can see I didn't do the rigging, but the next one I'm going to give it a go.

Hope you all like.
Regards
Keith

[PR19_Kit]

That looks magnificent Keith! 

It really has the look of those colourful inter-war schemes.

[Army of One]

Great scheme n finish.... .....I have a couple of bulldogs that I may experiment with re rigging...

[Captain Canada]

Nice one ! I never would have noticed the engine/cowling if you hadn't said.....love the colours ! I need to build mine now

[NARSES2]

That is simply gorgeous - and I never noticed the lack of rigging.

Re rigging. I have a plan and I'm going to try a method or two after Telford but on something that doesn't have that much

[Dizzyfugu]

This is sweet - the tiger stripes suit her REALLY well, nice finish. 

A shame that there's no rigging, though - it's worth the effort 

[tc2324]

Very nicely done Keith. 

Just for your information, 74 Sqn did in fact take on a Gladiator, for one day!!!

That same day the order came through that the incoming Gladiators earmarked for 74 Sqn were to be passed to 56 Sqn and 74 were then tasked to receive the Gloster Gauntlet.

[TallEng]

Thanks everybody
The idea came from reading 'on Silver Wings' (RAF biplane fighters between the wars) well worth getting
According to that tome 74Sqn were actually allocated 5 Gladiators before officialdom re-assigned them to 3Sqn.
Leaving 74Sqn to fly Gauntlets.
The serial number I used is one of the Aircraft assigned to 74Sqn which later went to 3 Sqn.
Regards
Keith

[crudebuteffective]

NICE JOB



had A SILVER WINGS PERIOD myself doing demon/fury/gladiator/bulldog/scratched gauntlet and still got a couple of bulldogs and demons in the stash