Gladiator N5914

[alex crawford]

Hi,

Gladiator N5914 was recovered from Norway during the 1990's and is under restoration at the Jet Age Museum, Gloucester. This was the aircraft that Plt Off Wilkie was flying when he was shot down and killed by Lt Helmut Lent on 2nd June 1940.

I am currently putting the finishing touches to a book on 263 Squadron's operations in Norway. It is hoped this will be published in April to coincide with the 75th Anniversary of the Norwegian Campaign.

It is being written in co-operation with the Jet Age Museum and one section will deal with the recovery of N5914 and its subsequent restoration.

Now the point of the post. I would like to try and do a potted history of N5914. From AM Form 78 it looks like the Glad was built in August 1939 and went straight to storage with 27 MU on 28th September 1939. From 27 MU it went to Prestwick on 9th May 1940, possible as part of a fighter flight. That is the last record of the aircraft until Norway. During the recovery of Plt Off Wilkies aircraft it was discovered that the identity was N5914.

It's probably a long shot but would anyone have any details of N5914. Whether its a single entry in a pilots log book or an entry in an ORB, or dare I say it, a photo. It would be nice to get a picture of this aircrafts history.

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards,

Alex

[vingtor]

Hi Alex,

Unfortunately, I do not have any info on N5914. However, it is great news to hear about this book. I don't know if you will focus much on colours on markings. There has previously been published much erroneous information on 263 Sqn. colours in Norway (including the alleged "arctic scheme"), something I hope will be corrected some day.

I am looking forward to read this book. Please inform us when it is published.

Nils

[Larry]

Might you get some ideas on where the aircraft was after 9th May 1940 till it crashed by looking at how the Sqn's Gladiators got to Norway- presumably by ship?

[alex crawford]

Hi Thanks for your replies,

Nils, I'm trying to work on the colours from what photos I've been able to find of the Sqn's Gladiators. I have heard and read about the 'Naval' scheme, but I'm not 100% convinced. I think the carrier crew would have had more important things to do than repaint some RAF aircraft that were taking up precious space.

Larry, the Gladiators were flown on board HMS Furious on 12th May. 12 Gladiators had been allocated to the Sqn in early May. It is interesting to note that these aircraft arrived at RAF Grangemouth on the 1st and 2nd May. 141 Sqn was also based at Grangemouth and according to AM Form 78, the aircraft movement card, 2-3 of these Gladiators were allocated to 141 Sqn, even though the Sqn was equipped with Blenheims, although it had previously operated Gladiators. It is known that these Gladiators were shipped to Norway.

I am wondering that N5914 was flown to Prestwick with the intention of going to 263 Sqn and somehow the aircraft movement card was written up as being allocated to Prestwick instead of 263 Sqn.

Other Gladiators are simply listed as being with the Norwegian Exp Force 30th April. Even before the Sqn had returned from the 1st Expedition on 28th - 29th April it was planned to send them back with more Gladiators, and aircraft were already being allocated.

Alex

[vingtor]

This photo has often been used as "proof" for the "arctic/naval scheme" being used on 263 Sqn. Gladiators in Norway. It is however a poor copy. A friend, and aviation historian, has a scan of the actual negative, which clearly shows that the aircraft in the foreground is painted in the standard RAF four-colour camouflage scheme (Dk.Green/Dk.Earth/Lt.Green/Lt.Earth). Unfortunately the individual letter and serial number is not visible on the photo.



Nils

[alex crawford]

Hi Nils,

Thanks for showing the photo. I believe there is a larger image that shows the individual letter, which is K, and possibly the serial number.

I'm trying to get a decent copy of this photo for my book.

Alex

[vingtor]

Alex,

On the scan from the negative, you can see a bit more of the roundel, but neither the individual letter nor the seral number.

Unfortunately, I am unable to pass on the scan, as the possessor is saving it (together with other photos) for a forthcoming book.

Nils

[gedburke3]

Hi Alex
I have a colour profile of Herbert Kitchener's Gladiator if that is of any use to you.
I can't guarantee that it is accurate but it was kept by Herbert so one can presume that he was happy with its authenticity.
Sadly I am not sure about copyright or the creator so cannot put it here for all to see.
Pm me if you want.
Gerry