Mushroom Model Publications - White Series
Gloster Gladiator Vol. 2
The Survivors in Detail

by Alex Crawford
with Illustrations by Chris Sandham-Bailey

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

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For the uninitiated, Mushroom Model Publications is based in Hampshire in the United Kingdom and their books are printed in Poland by Stratus.

As the title says, this is part 2 of their coverage of the Gloster Gladiator biplane.  Whilst part 1 concentrated on the developmental and operational history of the Gladiator, this volume concentrates (in the main) on an excellent photographic coverage of the surviving examples of the machine.

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Having said that though the book is more than just that.  It provides a detailed look at the Gladiator with chapters devoted to:

• The maintenance requirements of the machine as well as pilots notes (translated from the Swedish manual for the Gladiator J8/8A).

• The machine’s technical data – airframe and engine mount, wings, undercarriage, elevators and fin, flight controls, flaps, fuel system, lubricating system, engine ignition system, electrical equipment, radio equipment, landing flare equipment, armament, machine gun firing system.

• Scale plans – nine pages in 1/72 scale and five in 1/48 scale.

• Detailed photographic coverage of the machine using both superb images of extant machines as well as selected period images and (what look to be) computer aided design (CAD) drawings of selected part of the machine.  These drawings are rendered so that they can be viewed using (supplied) 3D glasses – different to say the least.

• 42 pages of large colour profiles and three view illustrations showing the Gladiator in the various paint and camouflage schemes it wore during service.  These drawings are superbly done and are laid out to show several images per machine spread out over two to three pages.  Coverage is provided of pre-war as well as war time RAF machines, Finnish machines, and those operated by Sweden.  The Royal Navy also gets a look in with images of Sea Gladiators included.

The book is A-4 in size with cardboard covers and comprises 160 pages in all.

This is an excellent book from Mushroom Model Publications.  It will appeal to both the enthusiast as well as the modeller and would be an excellent reference source if you are about to embark on a build of the Gladiator.

Thanks to Mushroom Model Publictions  for the sample.

All Mushroom Model Publications books are available direct from the publishers, who now accept credit cards (Visa, MC, Amex, Switch)  

North American distributors are MMD, Australian distributors are Platypus Publications. In Europe, the books are available from any good bookshop (via our UK distributors, Orca). Contact MMP direct in case of difficulties. 

Thanks to Roger at Mushroom Model Magazine  for the sample.

Review Copyright 2011 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 22 September, 2011
Last updated 22 September, 2011

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