Gladiator...

[petermcleland]

A nice picture I got from Facebook today:-



It is waiting for an engine run on a misty morning at Old Warden, and is part of the Shuttleworth collection. From the markings I think it was probably Naval 8/208 Squadron

[Jon.M]

Hi Peter,

Very nice photo thanks for posting it.

I believe the colours are for 73 squadron based at Digby in 1937. K7985 was flown by Flying Officer E.J. 'Cobber' Kain at the Empire Air Day Show at Hendon in May 1938. I expect everyone here will know Cobber Kain as the RAFs first ace of the war achieving 16 victories.

Jon

[Vancouver]

I didn't know that. I am consistently amazed by the wealth and depth of knowledge here.

[Airspeed]

That is a good photo, Peter.
Almost feel the cold air!
Can't help feeling uncomfortable when I see those machines, and think how the government of the day put trained pilots into outdated machines, making their job so much more difficult.

[petermcleland]

I found another high quality photo of that aeroplane:-

[petermcleland]

Hi Peter,

Very nice photo thanks for posting it.

I believe the colours are for 73 squadron based at Digby in 1937. K7985 was flown by Flying Officer E.J. 'Cobber' Kain at the Empire Air Day Show at Hendon in May 1938. I expect everyone here will know Cobber Kain as the RAFs first ace of the war achieving 16 victories.

Thank you Jon...Yes you are correct:-

http://www.rafweb.org/SqnMark073.htm

The marking is the same colours as 208, but a different shape...The 208 shape can be seen on the nose of Echo in my banner

[cstorey]

An absolute beauty . The Shuttleworth have the most beautiful aeroplanes I have ever seen