Gloster Gauntlet Book Review
By David L. Veres
| Date of Review | October 2018 | Title | Gloster Gauntlet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Alex Crawford | Publisher | Mushroom Model Publications |
| Published | 2018 | ISBN | 9788365281616 |
| Format | 80 pages, softbound | MSRP (GBP) | £15.00 |
Review
MMP expertly examines a colorful biplane classic in Gloster Gauntlet – 8118 in the publisher's Orange Series.
Revised and expanded from his previous Bristol Bulldog and Gloster Gauntlet, author Alex Crawford deftly details his singular subject in 80 picture-packed pages.
Coverage follows MMP's familiar format. Contents commence with "development and production" notes. Service and color & markings summaries follow – first British, then foreign. And 14 pages of color profile, plan, and inset plates sample Gauntlet camouflage & markings.
Gloster's little warplane actually served during World War II. Most soldiered in stopgap and second-line roles. But some Commonwealth machines saw combat in Africa – where one RAF example reportedly downed a Regia Aeronautica Caproni Ca.133. Danish Gauntlets also faced the fury of Nazi Germany's Luftwaffe in April 1940. And against the Soviets during the 1939-40 Winter War – and later in Continuation War fighting – Finland employed them as operational trainers.
Modeler's will especially enjoy this effort. 1:72-scale drawings recap variants – both developmental and operational. Dozens of B&W shots and tech-manual excerpts also season the survey. And a color section features shots of the only surviving, flyable example in Finland.
Recommended!
With thanks to Casemate for the review copy.