Gloster Gladiator        K6131

                                 

                                         The first production Gladiators were introduced  early in 1937, No. 72 Squadron at Church
                                         Fenton having the honors as being the first to operate the type.  Fortunately, most Gladiators
                                         had been replaced in front line squadrons by September 1939.  Sixty were converted to fully
                                         navalized Sea Gladiators.  The aircraft gained fame when a handful of them with the Hal Far
                                         fighter flight and No 261 Sqdn defended the island of Malta stoically until the arrival of Spitfires.  
                                         768 Gladiators of all marks were produced.