1/72 Sea Gladiators and Walrus

by Carmel John Attard

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Here comes a mixture of Sea Gladiators that were based at Hal-Far, Malta during the war years and a visiting Walrus. The aircraft all carry temperate sea colour scheme of extra dark sea grey and dark slate grey upper camouflage.  Sea Gladiator "R" is the Pavla recent release kit which also contained markings for no less than 5 aircraft.  The other two Sea Gladiators are the old Frog and Rimus release and brought to Pavla standard as best one could.  They also have markings borrowed from the Pavla kit.

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Two of the Sea Gladiators N5519 and N5567 have shot down a Savoia Marchetti SM 79 bombers and also a CR42 and Macchi 200 fighters respectively.

The Walrus is the recent Valom release. Also contain resin detail parts, two colour options and brass etch parts.  At some time Walruses were also based at Hal-Far Malta.  From Falconara, Walruses of 624 Squadron detachment used Hal-Far between 29-6-45 until 30-9-45.  Previous to that Walruses from ASR & C Flt, were based there between 3-3-43 until 25-8-43, during which time they used also the airfield at Ta'Qali which is at the outskirts of Mosta.  Walruses from visiting cruisers also called at local airfields.  L2194 coded 1069 of 711 Squadron used Kalafrana for some time. The Walrus was later on replaced by the Sea Otter which were also based at Hal Far as late as 1958.

Carmel 

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Photos and text © by Carmel J Attard