Gloster Gladiator (RAF Debden 1937)

Product Description

Gloster Gladiator (RAF Debden 1937) (1:72 scale)
- "A" Flight, 73 Sqn. This Gloster Gladiator is depicted in the markings of No.73 Squadron, RAF, which operated Gladiators from June 1937 to July 1938 initially at Debden, then at Mildenhall. The Shuttleworth Collection’s Gladiator first flew in these markings with the serial number ‘K7985’ on 17th April 2007. The aircraft is really L8032 & has the civilian registration letters G-AMRK (which are not worn). The aircraft was built by the Gloster Aircraft Co. at Hucclecote, Gloucester in 1944, but was too late to see wartime RAF service & was stored until November 1950. In 1951 it was made airworthy & was registered G-AMRK on 13th June 1952. It was operated by Gloster’s until 1960 being painted as ‘K8032’ in 72 Squadron markings, then was presented to the Shuttleworth Collection in November 1960. During a major overhaul in the early ‘70s, the serial ‘L8032’ was discovered in several places internally, so the serial & markings were corrected. It was then repainted in RAF camouflage, followed by Norwegian colours until it’s restoration back to the RAF scheme it wears today depicting an aircraft of ‘A’ Flight, No.73 Squadron. L8032 is currently the sole airworthy Gladiator in the world.