The Gloster Gladiator was the last RAF biplane fighter, being replaced by the Hawker Hurricane. However, it was still in service with a number of squadrons at the start of the way. The Gladiator was also a successfully exported aircraft, being used by a number of other countries. When no longer an effective fighter, it was used as a unit hack or trainer.

This is the first silk-screened set of decals to be developed by Mike Grant. That means that the production of the decals has been done by someone other than Mike; in this case by Fantasy Printshop.  The sheet contains no less than five different aircraft from a number of interesting countries. The decals are very well done and look properly opaque. I must report that on mine, the green has been printed slightly off register. Mike has been informed of the situation and has found that most of the other sheets do not exhibit this registration problem. It does not affect any of the other markings.

The first plane on the sheet is the Egyptian AF version in desert colors. These markings are the ones that are off register.

Next is an overall RLM 02 trainer captured from one of the many smaller countries overrun in the first year of the war.

A Lithuanian Gladiator in aluminum dope with olive green upper wing and rudder is next.

A Greek AF Gladiator is the next subject. This one will be a challenge to paint as it has the standard four color upper surface scheme with the upper wing and upper fuselage a darker shade of green and brown than the lower wing and fuselage. Underside is aluminum dope

Finally, a Latvian Gladiator in olive green over aluminum dope. It is probable that the German trainer is a Latvian or Lithuanian Gladiator.

Though the decal instructions are in greyshades, a color version is available on the website. Mike has stated that these are very low production decals so if you want a copy of them, you need to contact Mike at the website link below to ensure you get your copy.

Review copy courtesy of Mike Grant Decals. Thanks for your support.

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