3 SAAF Sqn wasp motif

[Amrit1]

From 85 Years of South African Air Force by Winston Brent

[Franek Grabowski]

Different colours per different flights, perhaps?

[stefaan]

Hi Guys.
Dug out my photo's.
This version appears to be the most commonly seen,
Re th 5 sqdn Gladiators.I have never come across any 5 sqdn Gladiators mentioned in any official references.
Not even in A/C census done during the War.
Alex, what are your references?
I have seen the wheelhub quadrants and was told they were received like that from RAF sqdns as hand me downs, and not applied by the SAAF.
The sqdns operating Gladiators were 1,2 and 3.
Re possibility of different flights?? Certainly a possibility but not verified.
Colours on thse photo's may be yellow body, wings,legs with white gloves.
Hope t helps
Stefaan

[alex crawford]

Hi Stefaan,

I can't remember off hand. I'll have a look through my notes at the weekend. I don't recall any of the Middle East/East African Gladiator Squadrons having red/white quartered wheel covers, though.

Another mystery perhaps?

Alex

[stefaan]

Hi Alex.
I found this site that says their was one Gladiator N5820, ex 237 RAF sqdn.
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_raf.htm
Look under SAAF Gladiators

I think it is a typo, and may be 1 SAAF as it is found there.
Unless it was a sqdn hack it would be unlikely to have only 1 Gladiator
used operationally.
I have only one shot with coloured Hubs and that photo is same source as 3 sqdn ie Whelan.
Makes it more likely that it was taken with him in 3 sqdn.
It does not show the serial.
If you have photo's of Gladiators in the UK it may show the coloured hubs.
Stefaan