Finnish Gladiators: Two Questions

I did a little more reading on the Mk II from Roden, and I believe it comes with standard Finnish markings along with the Sweedish volunteers. So you may want to wait and see what the kit provides before you get the Aeromasters. I haven't made mine yet, but the kit decals Rodrn provides LOOK very nice.

Looks like I'll go the Roden / Aeromaster route. And 1/48th is a good scale for rigging a biplane, too.

Thanks!

If you want to go big - both in size and cost - there is a 1/32 Gladiator from Silver Wings that includes a Finnish option with skis.  They make great resin kits that look like they are injection molded.  Be prepared tho - they don't come cheap!

www.silverwings.pl/gloster-gladiator-mk-i-mk-ii.html

The Mk. II kit from Roden has markings for a Sweedish volunteer unit opperating in the Winter War, as does the Kora sheet Bish mentioned. Aeromaste 48-187 has an all Finnish version, and another Sweedish volunteer unit. And Print Scale makes a sheet that has an interesting looking 4 tone camo scheme in Finnish markings as well.

If you are looking for 1/48, Roden makes a pretty darn good Gladiator. The Lindberg kit captures the shape of the ol' bird very well, but leaves alot to be desired in detail.. I have both stashed up. I would say if you enjoy to scratch build and all that, the Lindberg will be fine. If you are looking for more of an OOB build with a few added goodies, the Roden kit is the way to go.

I know that there is at least one 1/48 kit of the Gloster Gladiator Mk II.   Lindberg is the most recent packaging of the kit originally sold by Impact back in the late '60s (?).  It's not a bad kit actually and I've seen builds of it that were quite nice.  A quick search found these:

http://www.ecpmod.com/Articles/article46.html

http://www.hyperscale.com/features/2000/gladiatorpp_1.htm

http://tmwcf.forumcircle.com/viewtopic.php?p=6213

Kora do Finnish decals in 48th and 72nd scale. But they all seem to be for a Swedish unit flying in Finland. They all seem to be Gladiators on Skius. I can't speak for 48th scale kit, but I got the 72nd Airfix Mk II last year and it looks really nice and it comes with the Ski option. The Swedish markings with the kit appear to be from an aircraft operating in Finland.

Scroll half way down and you will see the Kora decals.

www.hannants.co.uk/.../index.php