263 Squadron recoveries from Norway

[alex crawford]

Hi Nils, Paul

Thanks for your feedback, very interesting indeed. I have seen a larger version of the Gladiator in the 'naval' scheme which shows more of the fuselage and the aircrafts individual number but no serial number is visible.

I exchanged a number of emails from Rick Kent a number of years ago. He stated that he spoke with someone who was aboard Glorious at the time of the first Expedition. He said that durinmg the crossing a number of Gladiators were repainted in naval colours to make them blend in with the surrounding country side. The dark earth was repainted light grey. The Gladiators were flown on board Glorious on 21st April and flown off to Lake Lesjaskog on 24th. In the three days they were on board the carrier could they have been repainted considering the cramped conditions on board. You have to remember that the carrier also had on board 11 Skuas and 17 Sea Gladiators from 802 and 804 Squadron, FAA.

Regarding N5579. This Gladiator was also recovered from Lake Lesjaskog at around the same time as N5641. The wings were removed and the fuselage was towed to Byom car repair shop, (now parking lot) in Bjørnson Rd. close to Gjøvik Hotel in the autumn of 1940. I have seen a photo of the fuselage in the car park. The individual letter can still be made out, which is 'D'. Full code HE-D. The fuselage was reported to have been scrapped sometime in 1940.

It is interesting to note that N5579 was 'recovered' from the Lake and is now at the FAA Museum under restoration. It could be possible that the wings from N5579 were recovered and are being used in the restoration of the FAA Museum example. I believe the completed airframe will represent Sea Gladiator N5518, which was used by 263 Squadron on the Lake.

Alex