{"product_id":"revell-04683-gloster-gladiator-mk-i-1-72-scale-plastic-kit","title":"Revell 04683 Gloster Gladiator Mk.I — 1\/72 Scale Plastic kit flat packed (damaged box)","description":"\u003cp\u003eManufacturer: Revell\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKit number: 04683\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBarcode: 4009803046839\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAircraft: Gloster Gladiator Mk.I\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eScale: 1\/72\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRelease: 2010\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eType: Injection-moulded plastic aircraft kit\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eStatus: Out of production\n\u003cbr\u003eManufacturer and kit history\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRevell is one of the major European scale-model manufacturers, with a particularly extensive range of aircraft, armour, ships, cars and science-fiction subjects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 04683 belongs to Revell's extensive 1\/72 military-aircraft range and was introduced in October 2010 as a reissue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit is consequently a relatively inexpensive representation of an important British aircraft rather than a modern, highly elaborate limited-production kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2010 release was moulded in silver\/grey plastic with a separate clear sprue, and was supplied with decals and assembly instructions. A contemporary kit review records:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    two silver plastic sprues;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    one transparent sprue;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    decal sheet;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    assembly instructions;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    safety-information sheet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis makes the kit fairly straightforward to catalogue and, when complete, relatively easy to identify.\n\u003cbr\u003eKit contents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Revell 04683 contains the components required to build a Gloster Gladiator Mk.I in 1\/72.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe contents include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    fuselage halves;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    upper and lower wings;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    interplane and cabane struts;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Bristol Mercury radial engine;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    engine cowling;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    propeller;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    cockpit;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    pilot's position;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    instrument-panel components;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    undercarriage;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    wheels;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    tailplane;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    rudder;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    elevators;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    cockpit canopy\/windscreen;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    smaller external fittings;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    clear parts;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    decals;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    assembly instructions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe documented kit contents specifically comprise two silver sprues, one clear sprue, decals and instructions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gladiator is a relatively small aircraft, so even at 1\/72 the completed model has a compact footprint. The biplane structure does, however, give the kit considerably more visual complexity than a simple monoplane.\n\u003cbr\u003eWhat the kit represents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe subject is specifically the Gladiator Mk.I, rather than the later Mk.II or naval Sea Gladiator.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mk.I was powered by the Bristol Mercury IX radial engine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThat distinction is important when comparing the kit with other Gladiator releases because later versions had different engine installations and equipment.\n\u003cbr\u003eThe real aircraft — Gloster Gladiator\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gloster Gladiator was Britain's final production biplane fighter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt was developed from the earlier Gloster Gauntlet, but incorporated a number of important advances, most notably an enclosed cockpit, retractable landing gear and a powerful radial engine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe prototype, designated S.S.37, first flew on 12 September 1934.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBy the time the Gladiator entered RAF service in 1937, however, fighter design was changing rapidly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNew monoplane fighters such as the Hawker Hurricane, Supermarine Spitfire and German Messerschmitt Bf 109 were already pointing toward the next generation of fighter aircraft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gladiator nevertheless represented an extremely refined version of the biplane fighter concept.\n\u003cbr\u003eDesign and development\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gladiator was designed by the Gloster Aircraft Company at Hucclecote, Gloucestershire, under chief designer Harold P. Folland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe design incorporated:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    all-metal fuselage construction;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    fabric-covered flying surfaces;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    enclosed cockpit;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    retractable main undercarriage;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    radial engine;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    two-bay biplane wings;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    four machine guns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt was a significant technological step beyond earlier British biplane fighters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe enclosed cockpit was particularly notable because it offered the pilot substantially better protection from the weather than the open cockpits of earlier fighters.\n\u003cbr\u003eGladiator Mk.I\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe first production version was the Gladiator Mk.I.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft was powered by the Bristol Mercury IX, producing approximately 830 hp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe engine drove a three-bladed propeller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRepresentative Mk.I specifications are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Crew: 1\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Engine: Bristol Mercury IX\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Power: approximately 830 hp\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Maximum speed: approximately 407 km\/h \/ 253 mph\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Length: 8.36 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Wingspan: 9.83 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Height: 3.58 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Range: approximately 689–708 km\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Service ceiling: approximately 10,000 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Armament: 4 × .303-inch machine guns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft was a very capable fighter by mid-1930s standards.\n\u003cbr\u003eArmament\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gladiator's four .303-inch machine guns were mounted in the wings and fuselage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis was a considerable improvement over the armament of many earlier British biplane fighters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe four-gun arrangement allowed the pilot to concentrate fire through the propeller arc and wing-mounted positions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft's armament was adequate against many contemporary aircraft, although the arrival of heavily armed monoplane fighters quickly changed expectations.\n\u003cbr\u003eEntry into RAF service\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe first production Gladiator was accepted by the RAF in February 1937, with the initial production batch completed by March.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gladiator became an important component of the RAF's pre-war fighter force.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt the time, it represented the culmination of British biplane-fighter development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRAF pilots generally appreciated its handling qualities and manoeuvrability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft was particularly well suited to dogfighting because of its relatively low wing loading and responsive controls.\n\u003cbr\u003eProduction\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eProduction was concentrated at Gloster's Hucclecote factory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe complete production programme amounted to approximately 747 aircraft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe production breakdown included:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    378 Gladiator Mk.I\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    270 Gladiator Mk.II\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    98 Sea Gladiators, including interim and production aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    18 Swedish J 8A aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    prototype and related aircraft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAeroflight's production breakdown totals 747 aircraft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eApproximately 216 aircraft were exported to 13 countries, demonstrating that the Gladiator was an internationally marketable fighter before the outbreak of war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExport customers included countries such as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Belgium;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    China;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Egypt;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Finland;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Greece;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Iraq;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Ireland;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Latvia;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Lithuania;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Norway;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Portugal;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    South Africa;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Sweden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBattle of France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gladiator entered the Second World War still in front-line RAF service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt was used during the Battle of France in 1940, although by this stage German fighter aircraft such as the Bf 109 were generally faster and more heavily armed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRAF Gladiator squadrons nevertheless participated in combat and demonstrated the aircraft's manoeuvrability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIts biplane configuration was by then a substantial technological disadvantage, particularly in speed.\n\u003cbr\u003eNorway\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGladiators also saw combat during the Norwegian campaign in 1940.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNo. 263 Squadron operated Gladiators from the frozen Lake Lesjaskogsvatnet and became heavily involved in the air fighting during the campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Norwegian campaign became one of the Gladiator's more famous early-war deployments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft's ability to operate in difficult conditions was useful, although the rapid German advance ultimately forced the Allied forces to withdraw.\n\u003cbr\u003eBattle of Britain\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gladiator was still present in Britain during the Battle of Britain, although it was no longer the RAF's principal fighter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOnly No. 247 Squadron operated Gladiators during the main Battle of Britain period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft's appearance in the battle is therefore historically interesting, but the principal RAF fighter force consisted of Hurricanes and Spitfires.\n\u003cbr\u003eMalta\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gladiator is particularly famous for its association with Malta in 1940.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThree aircraft became closely associated with the island's defence and were popularly known as Faith, Hope and Charity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe three aircraft formed part of the island's limited fighter defence during the early stages of the Italian campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe story subsequently became one of the most famous episodes in Gladiator history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe surviving aircraft Faith is preserved at the Malta Aviation Museum, while the identities and histories of the three aircraft have generated considerable historical discussion.\n\u003cbr\u003eNorth Africa and the Middle East\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGladiators were extensively used in the Mediterranean, North Africa and Middle East.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThey participated in operations against Italian forces and in the defence of British bases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSquadrons operating Gladiators included:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    No. 33 Squadron;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    No. 80 Squadron;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    No. 94 Squadron;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    No. 112 Squadron.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese operations provided some of the type's most substantial combat experience.\n\u003cbr\u003eSea Gladiator\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft was also adapted for naval service as the Sea Gladiator.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe naval version included:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    strengthened airframe;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    arrestor hook;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    catapult attachment points;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    naval equipment;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    provision for a dinghy\/lifeboat beneath the fuselage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eApproximately 98 Sea Gladiators were built or converted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Sea Gladiator is closely associated with the defence of Malta and the Fleet Air Arm.\n\u003cbr\u003eForeign service\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gladiator had a surprisingly broad international career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSweden operated the type as the J 8 and J 8A.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNorway operated it as the Gloster Gladiator Mk.I.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChina received Gladiators and used them against Japanese forces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFinland, Greece, Belgium, Portugal and other countries also operated the type.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn several cases the aircraft saw combat against considerably more modern opposition.\n\u003cbr\u003eChina\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChinese Gladiators were used during the Second Sino-Japanese War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft participated in the defence of China during the late 1930s and were involved in combat against Japanese aircraft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis was one of the Gladiator's earliest operational combat environments.\n\u003cbr\u003eSweden\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSweden purchased Gladiators and operated them as the J 8 and J 8A.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Swedish aircraft were equipped for local requirements and served as part of Sweden's pre-war fighter force.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSome of the Swedish aircraft were subsequently used for training.\n\u003cbr\u003eRetirement\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gladiator's front-line usefulness declined rapidly after 1940.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eModern monoplane fighters offered:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    substantially greater speed;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    better climb performance;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    heavier armament;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    improved high-altitude performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gladiator therefore increasingly moved into:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    training;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    communications;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    meteorological work;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    secondary duties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe type nevertheless had an unusually long overall service history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe final known operational examples were used by Portugal, with the type remaining in service until 1953.\n\u003cbr\u003eSignificance of the aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gladiator occupies an interesting position in aviation history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt was both:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    the final British production biplane fighter, and\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    one of the last highly developed biplane fighters to enter major military service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt was therefore already approaching obsolescence when it entered RAF service, but it was nevertheless a technically mature, well-designed and highly manoeuvrable aircraft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIts combat history demonstrates the rapid transition from biplane to monoplane fighter during the second half of the 1930s.\n\u003cbr\u003eFull-size aircraft price\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere is unusually good historical pricing evidence for the Gladiator.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA UK defence-cost study gives a November 1937 contract unit price of £3,050 for the Gladiator. The same source converts that to approximately £142,106 in 2014 purchasing-power terms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a much more useful figure than trying to infer a price from modern warbird values.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSo for your catalogue:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDocumented 1937 contract price: £3,050 per aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe figure is a procurement-contract unit price, not necessarily the fully equipped final cost of every Gladiator.\n\u003cbr\u003eCurrent full-size value\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no normal open market for complete original Gladiators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft is extremely rare, and surviving examples are museum aircraft or highly valuable historic warbirds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eConsequently:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCurrent full-size selling price: No dependable standard market price.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA surviving, airworthy original Gladiator would be a specialist museum-grade asset, and an advertised value would depend heavily on provenance, airworthiness, originality and ownership circumstances.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Revell","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57512972124540,"sku":"Revell-04683","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0432\/8584\/0033\/files\/1F005000-426B-45C9-ABF8-D266456F2463.jpg?v=1790664291","url":"https:\/\/sussex-model-centre.co.uk\/products\/revell-04683-gloster-gladiator-mk-i-1-72-scale-plastic-kit","provider":"Sussex Model Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}