Inter-war fighter flies again at Duxford for first time since 2017
The Fighter Collection’s Gloster Gladiator II, N5903/G-GLAD, took to the air again at Duxford on 6 June after spending five years on the ground following engine issues. Pete Kynsey, chief pilot of TFC, was at the controls.
The biplane fighter suffered problems with its Bristol Mercury powerplant while en route home from La Ferté-Alais, France, during 2017. A precautionary landing was made at Beynes-Thiverval aerodrome, north-west of Versailles. From there, N5903 was brought back to Duxford on a low-loader. Work by TFC to bring the engine and airframe back together resulted in a first ground run in late March, with engineer Roy Smith in the cockpit. Support has been provided by Vintech and Flying Restorations.
The Gladiator will be among the line-up at TFC’s Flying Legends Air Show when it takes place on Saturday 15-Sunday 16 July at its new venue, Leeds East Airport, the former RAF Church Fenton. Before that, an appearance is scheduled for the IWM Duxford Summer Air Show on Saturday 24-Sunday 25 June.
