Hi,
I assume you know about
Håkan's Aviation Page
The Gladiator N5641 that is displayed in Bodø is painted completely wrong. The camouflage pattern is incorrect and the markings are far from correct. Both the yellow ring in the roundel and the fin flash, were introduced after the 1st expedition. The blue cowling, wheel hubs and rudder are based on imagination rather than fact. Finally, the registration codes and serial number are incorrectly positioned.
Much have been said about 263 Squadron's camouflage, especially an alleged "arctic" scheme or a naval scheme, having Sky Grey undersides extened up the fuselage sides. This photo has been taken as proof on this "fact":
I have however recently seen another copy of this photo, copied from the original negative film. This copy clearly shows a disruptive camouflage on the fuselage sides, i.e. like the standard RAF Dk.Green/Dk.Earth/Lt.Green/Lt.Earth scheme. Something like this:
I have seen photos of N5641 in a shed, before restoration, probably the same photos as you have seen. The photos are not very good, and I can not see any camouflage demarcation lines. However period photos of 263 Sqn. Gladiators from the 1st and 2nd expeditions show the standard RAF scheme.
Nils