This Gloster Gladiator is depicted in the markings of No.73 Squadron, RAF, which operated Gladiators from June 1937 to July 1938 initially at Debden, then at Mildenhall. The Shuttleworth Collection’s Gladiator first flew in these markings with the serial number K7985 on 17th April 2007. The aircraft is really L8032 and has the civilian registration letters G-AMRK (which are not worn). The aircraft was built by the Gloster Aircraft Co. at Hucclecote, Gloucester in 1944, but was too late to see wartime RAF service and was stored until November 1950. In 1951 it was made airworthy and was registered G-AMRK on 13th June 1952. It was operated by Gloster’s until 1960 being painted as K8032 in 72 Squadron markings, then was presented to the Shuttleworth Collection in November 1960. During a major overhaul in the early ‘70s, the serial L8032 was discovered in several places internally, so the serial and markings were corrected. It was then repainted in RAF camouflage, followed by Norwegian colours until it’s restoration back to the RAF scheme it wears today depicting an aircraft of A Flight, No.73 Squadron. L8032 is currently the sole airworthy Gladiator in the world.
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