One of the only biplane fighters to have any measurable success in the Second World War, the Gloster Gladiator was the product of a bygone era combining with modernity for one last fling. The Gladiator was obsolete by September 1939, but it still had what it took to make a significant impact on history. Air Ministry specification F.7/30 realized (correctly) that future fighters were going to be faster and better armed.

Unfortunately, the delay in placing an order lasted 4 and a half years, by which time war was approaching, and it was realized that biplanes were soon to be judged obsolete. Folland created the S.S.37, which was the best design, and was accepted. It was really obsolete by the time of its first flight. However, since nothing else had arrived to replace the aging Bulldog fighter, the Gloster was readily accepted, and was the main fighter of the RAF until the Hawker Hurricane was delivered. By 1939, four squadrons were still operational with Gladiators.

Gladiators formed the core of the British Expeditionary Force's Advanced Striking Force in France in 1939. Many served in Belgium and the Netherlands, and many were present for the collapse of France. After 1940, most that still remained with the RAF worked as Meteorological Reconnaissance Aircraft.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale diecast replica of a RAF Gloster Gladiator Mk. I fighter that was piloted by Pat Pattle, who was attached to No. 80 Squadron, then deployed to Egypt, during the Spring of 1940. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 5-1/4-inches
Length: 4-1/2-inches

Release Date: October 2011

Historical Account: "Pat" - Marmaduke St. John Pattle (nicknamed 'Pat') was born in South Africa in 1914 and joined the RAF in 1936. He was posted to 80 Squadron, which had just been equipped with Gloster Gladiators. 'Pat' Pattle was to fast become the leading Gladiator ace, with fifteen and a half victories of his total of thirty-four confirmed. L8011, YK-0 was the regular Gladiator flown by Pattle in the pre-war years and through most of the spring and early summer of 1940, serving in Egypt.

On one occasion following an engine failure it bounced off the desert surface losing one wheel in the process. Pattle managed to restart the engine and land the aircraft back at the airfield without causing any further damage. It remained with the Squadron throughout the fighting in the summer of 1940 and Pattle may well have scored some of his victories with it. It went to Greece with the Squadron but was transferred to the Royal Hellenic Air Force on December 2nd, 1940.