Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: The Rat on July 10, 2025, 12:47:51 PM

Title: USAAF Gloster Gladiator
Post by: The Rat on July 10, 2025, 12:47:51 PM

What say you, lads? I think the markings from the Williams Brothers Martin B-10 should fit. I love the yellow-wing look.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54643056964_480f1001c7_c.jpg) (http://"https://flic.kr/p/2rfBX6N")

Title: Re: USAAF Gloster Gladiator
Post by: Old Wombat on July 10, 2025, 01:34:49 PM

Sacrilege!  :o


But ...  :smiley: :smiley: 8)

Title: Re: USAAF Gloster Gladiator
Post by: raafif on July 10, 2025, 05:23:40 PM

I presume the B-10 wings are quite a bit longer - high altitude Gladiator for Norway ??

Title: Re: USAAF Gloster Gladiator
Post by: Robomog on July 10, 2025, 09:11:24 PM

I think that would work quite well, very cool   :smiley: :smiley:

Mog
>^-.-^<

Title: Re: USAAF Gloster Gladiator
Post by: Frank3k on July 10, 2025, 11:28:45 PM

That would look cool! Is that going to be the only change?

Title: Re: USAAF Gloster Gladiator
Post by: GTX_Admin on July 11, 2025, 01:21:24 AM

 Trial bird perhaps …or part of the Royal American Air Force?

Title: Re: USAAC Gloster Gladiator
Post by: The Rat on July 11, 2025, 02:47:12 AM

The rationale might be that the USAAC was hedging their bets aginst the Boeing P-26 Peashooter. The Gladiator had far superior performance in just about every area.

From Wikipedia:

Gloster Gladiator Performance

Maximum speed: 253 mph (407 km/h, 220 kn) at 14,500 ft (4,420 m)
Cruise speed: 210 mph (340 km/h, 180 kn)
Stall speed: 53 mph (85 km/h, 46 kn)
Endurance: 2 hours
Service ceiling: 32,800 ft (10,000 m)
Rate of climb: 2,300 ft/min (12 m/s)
Time to altitude: 10,000 ft (3,048 m) in 4 minutes 45 seconds

Boeing P-26 Performance

Maximum speed: 234 mph (377 km/h, 203 kn)
Combat range: 360 mi (580 km, 310 nmi)
Ferry range: 635 mi (1,022 km, 552 nmi)
Service ceiling: 27,400 ft (8,400 m)
Rate of climb: 719 ft/min (3.65 m/s)


The Gladiator first flew about 18 months after the Peashooter, so the timeline kind of works. There were American aircraft of the same period that were the equal or even slightly better, but most were used by the US Navy, and others never went beyond the testing stage. The Consolidated P-30 was a fairly good aircraft, and a monoplane, but required a 2-man crew, which the Air Corps wasn't really sold on, and only 60 were built.

Title: Re: USAAF Gloster Gladiator
Post by: Buzzbomb on July 11, 2025, 06:51:52 AM

Those colours rock.. so bring it on

Title: Re: USAAF Gloster Gladiator
Post by: Robomog on July 11, 2025, 08:03:07 AM

Many moons ago I did  the opposite

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49288197642_2ab232f82e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2i6qTZ5) (https://flic.kr/p/2i6qTZ5) by Robomog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/54032744@N08/), on Flickr

Peashooter in RAF colours  ;D ;D

Mog
>^-.-^<

Title: Re: USAAF Gloster Gladiator
Post by: The Rat on July 11, 2025, 09:19:29 AM

Quote from: Robomog on July 11, 2025, 08:03:07 AM

Many moons ago I did  the opposite

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49288197642_2ab232f82e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2i6qTZ5) (https://flic.kr/p/2i6qTZ5) by Robomog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/54032744@N08/), on Flickr

Peashooter in RAF colours  ;D ;D

Mog
>^-.-^<

Looks beautiful! Got the same one on the bench right now, it will wind up in Mexican markings.