Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA36203-H
Gloster Gladiator Diecast Model
RAF Hal Far Fighter Flight, "Hope", RAF Hal Far, Malta, 1940 | Limited Edition
1076
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Gloster Gladiator | | 4.5" | | 5.25" |
To say Malta's air defenses were small at the beginning of WWII would be an under-statement. The total air power on Malta consisted of three Gloster Gladiator biplanes. "Faith," Sea Gladiator N5520 of 802 Sq. from June–November 1939, joined the Hal Far Fighter Flight in April 1940. She was quick to defend Malta, and while piloted by Flt. Lt. J. L. Waters RAF shot down and destroyed an Italian S.79 on June 11, 1940, and the next day on June 12, 1940, destroyed another S.79. She was renamed "Faith" between October 1941 and January 1942. The fuselage is preserved in Malta. "Hope," Sea Gladiator N5531 of 802 Sq. from June 1939 to January 1940, joined the Hal Far Flight, and was renamed "Hope" on April 19, 1940. She was destroyed in an air raid on February 4, 1941. "Charity," Sea Gladiator N5519 "G6A" of 802 Sq. from June–September 1939, joined the Hal Far Fighter Flight and was renamed "Charity" on April 19, 1940. She was involved in defending Malta over the critical 1940 period, but was shot down on July 29, 1940, and her pilot, F/O P. W. Hartley RAF, was badly burned.
Designed as an improvement over the Gauntlet, the Gladiator was first flown on September 12th, 1934. The Gloster Gladiator was a British-built biplane fighter, used by the Royal Air Force and Navy and exported to a number of other air forces. Though often pitted against more advanced modern aircraft, it achieved wartime fame in the hands of skilled pilots, fighting some of the most dramatic battles of the early war years. Sea Gladiators were successful as carrier-based aircraft because their slower speed made them suitable for carrier operations, and because they were less likely to be facing modern fighter opposition. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale Gladiator series includes the early two bladed propeller Mk I, the three bladed propeller Mk II and a Sea Gladiator (an Mk II fitted with an arrester hook). The models in this series faithfully recreate this aircraft, the last RAF biplane fighter. Features include fine gauge wire to simulate the structural bracing wires found between the wings the rear control surfaces, two machine gun pods under the lower wing and two almost hidden synchronized guns mounted on the sides of the fuselage. The radial engine is nicely detailed and clearly visible through the cowling.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.
Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
- Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
- Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
