[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by ChairmanMilo

Let's hope the diecast gods are smiling (and Corgi managers are watching) and bless us with this scheme for the Gladiator, then.

Just bought the NAS Gladiator myself. Can't wait to get my paws on it!

The NAS Gladiator is a nice looking model, it was the first one I picked up. I looking to add the Gladiator Mk.II Norway & Gladiator Mk.II Ron Walter to my collection.

[Cruver Collecter]

Came across some interesting information on the Swedish Gloster J-8A. It looks to have been the aircraft of 2nd Lt Ian Iacobi, Lt Iacobi also was credited with scoring the Swedish Volunteer first victory, a Polikarpov I-15bis on 12 January 1940. I also came across some interesting information about the Bristol Bulldog in Finnish service. I had been under impression that the Bulldog did not see actuall combat, but found a source which indicates that it did. During the Winter War LLv 26 used the Bristol Bulldog in combat and actually made claims for six aerial victories. Be nice to have a couple Bulldogs in prewar paint scheme and one Finnish paint scheme.

[Cruver Collecter]

Came across an interesting photo of Finnish Bristol Bulldogs. This is the first time I have seen the Bulldog outfitted with skis. Kind of hard to beleive that these were used in combat for a short period during WWII.

[smartd]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

I was going through my kits an came across a Lindberge 1/48th scale Gladiator. With kit was a set of AeroMaster decals that had an interesting paint scheme for the Swedich J-8A Gladiator. Same camouflage pattern, but sporting skull & crossbones on the side of the fuselage. Look through some of my books and came across a photo that had a line up of these Swedish fighters, and quite a few had the similar markings. Could this be a case of Arrrr thar be pirates?

Is this a re-surgence of that pirate theme from a while back?

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by smartd

Is this a re-surgence of that pirate theme from a while back?

Actually that was by accident, but it sure does make for an interesting paint scheme.

[smartd]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

Actually that was by accident, but it sure does make for an interesting paint scheme.

It does that. Shades of the Spanish Main in the frozen North.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by smartd

It does that. Shades of the Spanish Main in the frozen North.

Arrr that it does.

[Cruver Collecter]

Did a search today to see if AeroMaster did this Gladiator set of decals in 1/72nd scale, but no such luck.

[MigAlley]

I also got this one off the Bay, and it's a scheme that I really love. Unfortunately, I wasn't as lucky with mine as you were, CC, as on mine one of the wing struts was bent, and the rigging was quite slack. It's a real big shame, because the Gladiator is one of my favorite recent Corgi's. I also got the desert one in the same deal, and that one is fine - so just bad luck I guess. What a shame for this one that Corgi pushed on with the base thing, though. Can't argue about tastes, of course, but this is one that I definately would have picked up for full price in the shop (which would have enabled me to check the rigging first ) if it wasn't for that 10-pound birthday cake. I can't help but think that Corgi shot themselves in the foot with all those diorama's, they're so heavy and expensive. The only one I would have is the Corsair deck diorama, because that's a really nice piece to photograph your naval birds on.

Regarding the model, I think the Glad is a great release (if fighting fit) - a real timewarp piece of kit. I'd definately have some more if the quality was a bit more consistent, and if they brought out some more original schemes (a Belgian one, perhaps? There's a nice picture in Hamlyn's guide to British aircraft!). I really like the look of the Shuttleworth Survivor one as well. With the current Corgi slump there's not much chance of a Gauntlet or a Bulldog, but wouldn't these three make a great display? At least Corgi can pride themselves with having rekindled my fascination with biplanes - and it's inspired me to add some WW1 planes to my collection as well. Long may it continue!

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by MigAlley

I also got this one off the Bay, and it's a scheme that I really love. Unfortunately, I wasn't as lucky with mine as you were, CC, as on mine one of the wing struts was bent, and the rigging was quite slack. It's a real big shame, because the Gladiator is one of my favorite recent Corgi's. I also got the desert one in the same deal, and that one is fine - so just bad luck I guess. What a shame for this one that Corgi pushed on with the base thing, though. Can't argue about tastes, of course, but this is one that I definately would have picked up for full price in the shop (which would have enabled me to check the rigging first ) if it wasn't for that 10-pound birthday cake. I can't help but think that Corgi shot themselves in the foot with all those diorama's, they're so heavy and expensive. The only one I would have is the Corsair deck diorama, because that's a really nice piece to photograph your naval birds on.

Regarding the model, I think the Glad is a great release (if fighting fit) - a real timewarp piece of kit. I'd definately have some more if the quality was a bit more consistent, and if they brought out some more original schemes (a Belgian one, perhaps? There's a nice picture in Hamlyn's guide to British aircraft!). I really like the look of the Shuttleworth Survivor one as well. With the current Corgi slump there's not much chance of a Gauntlet or a Bulldog, but wouldn't these three make a great display? At least Corgi can pride themselves with having rekindled my fascination with biplanes - and it's inspired me to add some WW1 planes to my collection as well. Long may it continue!

Shame that your Gladiator did not arrive unscathed, and its a good looking model too. Maybe we will get lucky and Corgi will get there act together and start putting out some models (Maybe some day the Gauntlet and the Bulldog too,,,, really like the Bulldog.).