Monographie Lotnicze No. 24
Gloster Gladiator
B. Belcarz & R. Peczkowski
AJ-Press, Gdansk, 1996,
ISBN: 83-86208-34-1

Reviewed by Jim Schubert

In the listing of references in my review of the new Roden 1:48 scale Gladiator in the January issue of this magazine I listed this volume and asked if any reader had a copy they'd sell to me. The co-author of the monograph, Robert Peczkowski, replied that he'd trade one for another book. The deal was agreed, the exchange made and now here's my review of this 1996 book - seven years late! In this case the old adage, "better late than never" is certainly appropriate as this is a good reference work. There's only one problem - for me - with this book; it's all in Polish, of which I have no knowledge. But that's ok because the pictures are in English.

In the January review of the, then new, Warpaint series book I used a three-column, side-by-side comparison of the new Osprey, Mushroom and Warpaint books on the Gladiator. Following are the numbers on this "new" book in the same format for the Lotnicze monograph:

Cover: Color painting
Back: Color painting - cockpit interior with key
Color profiles: 18
Color photos: None
B & W photos: 86
GA Dwgs.: 24 plus 18 detail/"scrap" Dwgs.
Isometric Dwgs: 7 + an inboard-profile & detail Dwg. of instrument Panel.
Appendices/tables: 13
Pages: 56
MSRP: I don't know but current releases are in the $12-20 range.

The Paper quality is quite good being heavily sized resulting in excellent reproduction of the color art work. Unfortunately, for reasons not apparent, all of the 86 B & W photos are quite dark and grey. That said - there are many useful photos here that are not included in the Osprey, Mushroom, Warpaint or other references. The color art work by Jaroslaw and Arkadiuz Wrobel (I wonder if they are related) is outstanding and extremely well printed.

Because I can't read Polish, I cannot comment upon the text except to note - from the headings - that it appears to provide comprehensive coverage of the history, development, and operational deployment of the Gladiator. The five pages of general arrangement drawings are outstanding; the best I've seen of all marks of the Gladiator.

Conclusion

A very good book, well worth the presumed price. AJ-Press, in my opinion, would do well to reissue this book to cash in on the interest in the Gladiator generated by Roden's release of their new 1:48 scale kits. Only this time, please do something about the quality of those B & W photos.

As it never rains but what it pours - Squadron Publications is advertising a Gladiator In Action book. I've ordered a copy and will review it upon receipt.