Reviews : Airfix Gloster Gladiator Mk.I/II

This is a well designed kit by Airfix. I’m no pro at building Biplanes but the parts were free from sprue and the parts went together well, despite being 1/72 scale and a biplane. The detail is also very good considering the scale. The build provided enough of a challenge and the price point is very good value. The assembly instructions also include a VERY useful diagram if you want to rig the kit. My rigging skills are awful (as my uploaded images prove) but the only way to get better is to practice, and because this kit is so inexpensive, it doesn’t matter if you make a mess of things. BOTTOM LINE: Great kit for practicing biplanes and rigging, and excellent value for money. NOTE: I’m an average skill modeler at best. Usually I leave non-permanent fixtures (bombs, drop tanks, etc.) off my kits because I’m interested in the airplane, not extraneous add-ons. I use the following for all my models • Harder & Steenbeck CRplus with a 0.2mm nozzle - it’s way above my ability level but was a birthday present from my wonderful partner • AMMO by Mig and Vallejo Air acrylic paints - I never use oil-based paints or washes because who needs the toxic fumes and cleanup hassle • Tamiya Extra Thin Cement and Tamiya Plastic Cement • Walthers Solvaset to apply and set decals • EZ-Line Fine for rigging • Vallejo Mecha Satin Varnish to coat finished models - if you’ve ever seen a Spitfire or B-25 or whatever in real life, they have a slight gloss sheen to them and are not matt at all.

This Airfix kit is one of the newer tooled kits, with above average detail and really good parts fit. The kit has 3 gray sprues and1 sprue for the clear parts. The engineering makes construction as easy as it can be for a bi-plane. The only tricky part of the build is the 3 part engine cowling, which requires you to have 4 hands to hold parts together for glueing. The struts holding the upper and lower wings together are finicky but will ultimately fit nicely with some patience. There is options for open or closed canopy and 2 bladed or 3 bladed propeller. Kit comes with a pilot and markings for 2 aircraft. Kit is a nice mojo build and is stress free.

It should be noted that this kit was first issued by Airfix in 2013 utilizing new tooling. It has no parts in common with the old Airfix Gladiator kit, which was first issued in 1956(!). This new kit is far higher quality than the old kit. It can be built as either a Gladiator Mk.I or Mk.II. One downside is only two decal options are provided. The first is an RAF Mk.II with No.615 Sqn in Northern France, December 1939. The second is a Belgian Air Force Mk.I in 1938. Fortunately, after-market decals with other options are available. Overall, if you want a 1/72 scale Gladiator, this is a good kit to buy.