KIT:

Roden 1/48 Sea Gladiator

KIT #

 405

PRICE:

 $27.98  ($24.97 at Squadron)

DECALS:

 Eight aircraft

REVIEWER:

Scott Van Aken

NOTES:

  

HISTORY
 
In the mid 1930s the Royal Navy required an urgent replacement for obsolete fighters like the Hawker Nimrod and Hawker Osprey. A truly modern aircraft (the future Fairey Fulmar) was being developed to the specification P.4/34; however, at the time of the Munich Crisis the Royal Navy was dangerously unprotected. The Gloster Company suggested a re-design of the Gladiator fighter according to Naval requirements.

The first 38 planes were modified Gladiator Mk.IIs. A new brake lever was installed, and TR.9 marine radio equipment, as well as air speed indicators calibrated in knots. In December 1938, the first 13 interim Sea Gladiators were transferred to the Worsey Down base for training. Other machines were shared between Hetston, Eastlate and Doneybristle, and several more planes were delivered to Adena for further transfer to aircraft carriers in the Indian Ocean.

At the beginning of 1939 the Sea Gladiator still did not have an adequate replacement, and the Navy signed a contract with the Gloster Company for the production of an additional 60 aircraft. In accordance with specification F. 36/37 this had to be properly marinised; apart from the brake lever, catapult clips and a ventral container with the rubber lifeboat were installed.

At the 1st of September 1939 when WWII started, the Navy was equipped with 12 Sea Gladiators (Interim) and 42 late Sea Gladiators (sometimes this type is called Sea Gladiator Mk.II, however the name has never been official).

In April 1940 operation Weserubung began: Germany intended to swiftly capture the Scandinavian countries. However, the Battle of Norway ruined its plans. On April 20th, the British Government decided to urgently help Norway. On April 22nd the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious with the Sea Gladiators of 802 and 804 squadrons aboard, left from Scapa Flow.

The Battle of Norway was brief but fierce. On May 11th during one of their numerous fights a group of 15 Sea Gladiators faced five Ju-87s, two He-111s, and one He-115. The Royal Navy pilots managed to shoot down a Ju-87 and a He-115 without any losses of their own. A lot of future aces scored single victories, but overall the Battle of Norway was lost, and at the beginning of May, the British expeditionary forces returned home
.
Talking about the Sea Gladiator, we can't help mentioning the defense of Malta. This wartime episode entered history as an example of extreme heroism and self-sacrifice, and made the Sea Gladiator as famous as the Hurricane and Spitfire. In April 1940 18 Sea Gladiators from the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious were transferred to the newly created Hal Far Station Flight. Before then there was no fighter base on Malta. The Navy agreed that some of them could stay for the air defense of the island, and the rest of them had to be transferred aboard another aircraft carrier, HMS Eagle. Though the press invented the myth of the three lone Sea Gladiators named 'Faith', 'Hope' and 'Charity', Malta wasn't exactly overflowing with combat aircraft or pilots for them. The Sea Gladiators from the Eagle were about all that was available to fend off the Italians during Italy's first forays against Malta. Their first victory was scored on June 22nd - Flt Lt George Burges shot down a SM79. Soon the Hal Far Station Flight was reorganized as 261 Squadron of the Royal Air Force. For two more months, until the appearance of Hurricanes in Malta in some quantity, the Sea Gladiators were Malta's only hope. One of the last planes from the dark days of 1940 remained in service until the beginning of 1942. Nowadays this plane, N5220, is in the historical museum of the island and is one of the most honored exhibits.

Gloster Sea Gladiator - the naval version of the famous British Gladiator fighter, modified for service at sea. The aircraft was widely used by the Royal Navy during the initial stages of WWII and took part in the Battle of Norway and in the Mediterranean. Three Sea Gladiators that defended Malta in summer 1940 entered history for their great heroism and sacrifice. In total 98 planes of this type were built.
 
Thanks to Roden for the historical background.
 

THE KIT

 

This is more of an update than a real preview. All that was said about the kit in the earlier preview and build article is the same for this one. What is different about it is that there are the bits to do a Sea Gladiator. This is all on a single sprue shown next to the arrow. It is basically the dingy pack, three bladed prop, spinner and the arresting hook.

There are also a bunch of different decal options included with the kit. The decals are superbly printed, but I must confess that the blue looks too light; more like a 20s or 30's blue than those colors used during the war. However, I'm not an expert on RAF colors so I'll let others debate that. In any case, there are aftermarket decals out for this kit so finding something that interests you shouldn't be too difficult.

Here's what's included. First is the box art plane from Malta in June 1940. This plane is preserved in Malta according to the box top. I'll leave the color interpretations to you as the paints given are a bit generic (like Matte Green, Matt Blue Grey over Light Sea Grey). There is a rather complicated shadow-shaded scheme for biplanes. I recommend a good reference on the plane. You can find a couple of them in the book reviews section. Next is a 261 Sq  plane, also at Malta but in Sept 1941. These first two have no dinghy pack nor tail hook. From 813 Sq on the HMS Eagle in AUg 1940 is next, followed by a similar plane from July of that year. The images show that the two bladed wooden prop is optional. Interestingly, the metal three bladed prop was often replaced by the wooden one as many preferred it.  Rounding out all the similarly painted planes is an 804 Sq aircraft from July 1940.

Next is an all black 804 Sq plane from Scapa Flow in April 1940. I have to assume it is a night fighter. The last two are in typical camo. First is yet another 804 Sq plane from May 1940 and the last one is also from 804 Sq about the same time. Each of these various planes has some small difference in markings or has a bit of artwork on it.

As with the previous Roden Gladiator, the instructions are superb with an excellent rigging diagram.

 

CONCLUSIONS

I think you'll be very happy with this kit. It is modern and while there have been some comments on the engine cowling, I don't think that it is that much of a problem and should result in a superb model.

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