Oxford Diecast Oxford Aviation AC056
Gloster Gladiator Mk II Skiplane Diecast Model
Finnish Air Force, Gideon Karlsson, March 1940 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Gloster Gladiator Mk II Skiplane | | 4.5" | | 5.25" |
This Gloster Gladiator bi-plane fighter commemorates an aircraft that was part of the Swedish Volunteer reserve force that joined the Finnish Air Force in November 1939 following an attack on the country by the Soviet Union. Although Sweden was a neutral country, its government were aware that if the Russians overtook Finland, Sweden was next in line. Between November 1939 and March 1940, the Swedish Air Force reserve regiment known as F19, flew alongside the Finns in this Winter War and successfully resisted the Russian attack, leading to a ceasefire on 13th March 1940.
Swedish volunteer (Pilot Officer) Josef Gideon Karlsson was part of the defending force against a Russian attack on the town of Rovaniemi, Lapland on 10th March 1940. Whilst on combat patrol over the town, he surprised six enemy aircraft and attacked, downing one before returning to base with a damaged propeller. He survived the war and died in Stockholm in 1972.
This Gloster Gladiator comes with skis, as would have been used on the real-life aircraft. There are two silver coloured skis on each underside of the front fuselage and one under the tail. The aircraft is decorated in a dark green and pale grey camouflage scheme with pale blue underside with white, blue and yellow printed graphics. One of the many fine details on the model sees the two blade propeller being given a wooden effect with yellow propeller cap.
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.
The Oxford Diecast "Oxford Aviation" range presents affordable, ready made diecast models of military aircraft.
Oxford Diecast "Oxford Aviation" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal and plastic construction.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Permanently retracted landing gear.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Fixed, non-spinning plastic propellers.
- No pilot figures.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
