263 Squadron recoveries from Norway

[paulmcmillan]

Flight Dec 7th 1967... From 'the before his time' Leslie Hunt ....

"Norwegian Gladiator Discovery

SIR,—I feel sure many readers will be interested to hear that a letter received from Wg Cdr Arthur Gill, British Air Attache in Oslo (who has been a tower of strength to me in "preservation" efforts) tells of Gladiator Mk II,
serial 5641, discovered in excellent condition near Lesjaskog. Presumed to be the sole complete survivor of 263 Sqn, the Gladiator seems to have been purchased from the Germans by a Norwegian farmer for the equivalent of £3 10s! The farmer (now dead) built a hut for the Gladiator, removed the wings, and inhibited the engine, fixing the four machine guns to fhe wall.
Col Steffen-Olsen is negotiating with the farmer's family for the Gladiator to be removed by rail to Gardermoen for renovation and, later, for display in the Royal Norwegian Air Force Museum to be established in Oslo.
The remains of other Gladiators can still be seen at the bottom of Lake Lesjaskog, but whether it is possible to retrieve them is not known.

90 Woodside, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex LESLIE HUNT"