Mushroom Model Publication's latest book is "Gloster Gladiator" by Alex
Crawford.
The book comprises 144 pages in 9.5" x 6.5" format, with soft covers and
including a sixteen page colour profile section and a further eight pages of
colour walkaround photos.
 After
a brief introduction, the body text describes the Gloster Gladiator in RAF
and Commonwealth service. The description commences with the introduction to
Squadron service in 1937 after the first Spitfire and Hurricane had
already flown. Despite this surprising situation, the Gladiator a front-line
fighter with the RAF until early 1939. The RAF section follows the
Gladiator's operations through the Munich crisis, the Phoney War, the
defence of Egypt, Greece and Crete, East Africa, Iraq, Syria, the Far East
and its retirement to second-line duties. Camouflage and markings are
summarised over two pages. The Sea Gladiator is covered in a separate
section. The remaining half of the book is devoted to the many other
operators of this significant fighter, including Belgium, China,
Egypt, Finland, Free French forces, Germany, Greece, Iraq, Ireland, Latvia,
Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, the USSR and Sweden. The text is rounded out
with Appendices listing Gladiator survivors, claims and losses, and
technical data. Each country's section is generously illustrated with
photographs. The text follows a common format - discussing the introduction
to service and operations followed by a summary of camouflage and markings.
The text throughout is clear, concise and logically organised - just as well
considering the breadth of the subject matter. My only criticism is that the
book's format dictates that many of the photographs are quite small. Some
photos are also darkly reproduced, making it difficult to discern details. The
twelve page colour profile
section includes 28 paintings of Gladiators in the service of many
different countries. It is nice to see some full-page side profiles, and
other subjects being depicted in four-views. 44 colour photographs are
included in the walkaround section. Various Gladiators are photographed,
including one aircraft under restoration. This machine reveals rare airframe
details. There are also good quality photos of the interior of the
Gladiator. This book is a wonderful resource for the aircraft modeller or
the aircraft historian. Recommended |
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