Airfix 1/72nd Gloster Gladiator Mk II Completed

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
21

Thanks Paladin, ye, this is the same kit. I have only rigged one, the old Airfix 0/400. Its the one stage i am most concerned about, but at least the kit does have plans for the rigging and locators in the wings.

22

Got the Gladiator wrapped up today. The one pic i have of the real thing shows a larger than normal antenna mast on the fuselage and what appears to be another mast on the wing. I have seen pics of other aircraft with this wing mast, so i fitted one. I used EZ line for the rigging.

Then finished it off by fitting to the base and adding a couple of figures. The decal instructions place this aircraft at Bircham Newton. But the info i found is a bit confuseing. But from what i can tell, they were at Bircham in 1942 when they were merged with another Flt to form 521 Sqn. But in early 43 521 were broken up and 1401 reformed this time at Docking, not far from Bircham. As i alreday have a subject for Bircham, i have placed this at Doking after 1401 reformed.

I had planned on having the pilot walking away from the aircraft after returning from a sortie. But as the kit includes a rather nice starting handle, i reversed it.

Thanks for following along.

23

I’m not one to waste a good starter handle either! She’s a beauty with fine rigging!

24

I had the 1/72 scale Airfix kit way back, but this one looks amazing. I may have to add this one to the stash eventually.

Well done, Bish!

25

Very nice, Martin.

26

Wow Bish, very nice. Well done my friend

27

Very nice indeed.

28

Cheers guys.

Mike, its a great little kit, i would deffinetly recomend one of these boxings. I am tempted to get another and do one of the more colourful marking options on the Print Scale sheet.

Chad, thats the first time i have seen a starter handle with a kit, it was a nice touch.

29

Straight up beautiful Martin!!! Always like watching your builds come to life.

30

I missed this while you were in progress. Bish. That’s a beautiful finish! It does look like a great kit, too.

31

Thanks guys. baron, it is, its a great kit.

32

Very cool! Nice job.

33

Thanks Hoss.

34

One fine build! The rigging is amazing in that scale! How did you do it? Pre-drill holes for the ends then shrink the line?

Nice presentation too.[H]

Mike

35

Thanks Mike.

I just partly drilled holes in the upper wing and then drilled right throw the lower. Inserted the line through the lower hole and secured it in the upper wing and let dry. Then stretched it night and glued the other end. Useing CA i only needed to leave each bit to dry for 10 mins, but took a couple of evenings.

36

Outstanding, Bish! [Y][Y][Y]

I’ve never done a biplane but dogone it, this one has my attention. And I agree, it does have a more rugged and capable look than a lot of bipes I’ve seen.

Not sure how I missed this.

37

Excellent work, Bish. You make the scale look lifelike. I totally jellous.

BK

38

Cheers guys.

This has made me less concerned about rigging, i was worried about it, but was much easier than i had expected. The plan Airfix provides really helped.

39

Hi,

Your build looks great. Thanks for posting your info.

I have a couple older A/C models (a Vickers Vimy Commercial and a Curtiss Condor) that I have been putting off for a while until I figured out how to address the rigging. I will definitely give the method you noted above a look.

Pat

40

Thanks Pat. I hope it works for you and look forward to seeing the results.