Durafly (PNF) Gloster Gladiator Mk1 Biplane Fighter EPO 1100mm (43") - Flight Review

In this edition of HobbyKing's Flight Review, Stuart is here to go over the all-new Durafly (PNF) Gloster Gladiator Mk1 Biplane Fighter EPO 1100mm (43"). Available now!
Intro: 00:00​
Product Overview: 00:27
Flight Demo: 07:25
Wrap-up: 16:43
Outro/Outtakes: 17:42
The Gloster Gladiator was a British-built biplane fighter, it was used by the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm during the late 1930s. It was the RAF's last, and ultimate biplane fighter airplane to be manufactured, but it was also the first to feature an enclosed cockpit.
Get the Durafly (PNF) Gloster Gladiator Mk1 Biplane Fighter EPO 1100mm (43"): bit.ly/3N4ppnH
Spare Parts: bit.ly/3tO87nU
The Gloster Gladiator is an unusual and rarely modeled subject. The Durafly version of this iconic biplane is a replica of the Shuttleworth Collections Gloster Gladiator Mk1 "K9785", believed to be the only airworthy example flying in the world today. "K9785" depicts the markings of No. 73 Squadron that operated Gloster Gladiators at RAF Mildenhall in England from 1937 to 1938.
The model is manufactured in strong EPO foam, to the usual high standards you have come to expect from this range of RC airplanes. As with most other Durafly models, it comes "Plug N Fly". This means it is supplied with an easy-to-assemble airframe, powerful pre-installed 3719-770KV brushless motor, Aerostar 40A ESC, and 4 pre-installed 9g digital servos. A vinyl decal sheet is included, these will need to be applied during the building process, this gives you the choice of using the silver finish as a base for creating your own color scheme. Once the model is assembled, all you require is your choice of 4ch or more receiver and a 2200mAh 4S (14.8V) LiPo battery.
The attention to detail is superb from the blistered cowl, scale exhausts, and scale streamlined landing gear with large diameter scale wheels. The ribbed wings, tail, and stringered fuselage depict a fabric-covered airframe, and blistered machine gun housings make this a model you will be proud to own. Scale flying wires are also supplied, the model can be flown with or without them but they do add that realistic scale touch to the Gladiator.
The Gladiator has very benign handling characteristics with an almost non-existent stall, and at half power, it flies very scale-like. At full power it becomes a very agile and aerobatic sports model, big loops, axial rolls, and even knife-edge can be performed, it is great fun to fly. So it is not only for the scale buffs, it will also appeal to the sports pilots as well.
The 1930s was the golden age of aviation, capture these halcyon days with the beautiful Durafly Gloster Gladiator.
Features:
• An easy-to-assemble, beautiful scale model of the ultimate classic biplane
• "Plug N Fly", comes complete with a powerful pre-installed brushless motor, ESC, and digital servos
• Molded-in ultra-smooth, super tough, EPO foam that is finished in silver paint
• Superb attention to detail including ribbed wings and stringered fuselage
• Includes large diameter scale wheels, molded dummy radial engine, scale rigging wires, and other scale detailing parts
• Depicts the color scheme of the only airworthy example flying in the world today
Featured in this video:
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Durafly P40: • Product Profile - Dura...
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[@ThreenaddiesRexMegistus]

What a great subject for this size. I’m interested and waiting for the reveal. OK , watched now and very impressed with this model. It is nice to see unusual but visually stunning planes like this represented, and maybe there will be more Golden Age offerings. I priced it from the HK warehouse but shipping is a killer now that AU warehouse has closed. I would have pulled the trigger as the base price was AU$261.48 , but shipping boosted it to AU$504.04 and it simply doesn't make sense to pay $242.56 for delivery.

[@sputniksam]

The UK lost their regional warehouse a year ago, and we aren't allowed to order from the European warehouse. Shipping this model to the UK from the Global warehouse is $470 AUS

[@ThreenaddiesRexMegistus]

Ouch! And I thought we were hard done by. Shipping from HK Global never cost anything like this previously. But they only offered DHL on my checkout page.

[@iansummers6945]

Looks like many of us won’t be purchasing HK aircraft anymore, shipping from the other side of the world is just not worth it!

[@smallfieldflying4677]

I thought I was doing something wrong, this is a real shame.

[@snoriverrc3842]

Great design, fantastic price point. Hard to believe no one else has done this model before in EPO with that sexy P-40 Razorback styling. This is every bit as sporty looking as a Pitts or Waco, and you can just tell its a fun plane to fly.

[@TastierBackInThe80s]

It's a great modelling subject. Something out of left field. Good job Durafly and Stu.

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@bobdavis2698]

Very excited. My flying buddy and I each just ordered one. He suggested this model some time ago when you asked for recommendations. Glad you listened. I will comment again once I get it and fly it.

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Good choice!

[@hansleatherby1032]

Lovely model - well done Stuart Get the UK branch back open please By the way, I noticed you were flying the Yak at Shuttleworth in May - interesting venue

[@andycraig8610]

Once the shipping cost from Hong Kong dropped to 30 pounds I pulled the trigger on this. It arrived very well packaged and I flew it this morning. Very impressed, great fun and looks great. Glad I got it at last. Andy in UK.

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Good stuff!

[@rcdc9917]

This is a plane I would have definitely bought, but as mentioned above , the shipping is ridiculous, hobbyking we’re my go to , but I won’t buy anything from them now. Such a shame.

[@Junglist3345]

I love these small Durafly models. I keep waiting for the Skyraider to be re-released......hopefully.

[@sigee32]

Nice plane. Shame I wont be buying anything from HK now the UK warehouse has closed :(

[@sanexup1038]

I always enjoy your flight reviews and demonstrations! This one is gem!

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Many thanks!

[@Noaxe_Tegrinde]

Beautifully designed and manufactured! NoAxe

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Yes indeed!

[@BreatheRC]

I would have loved one ,unfortunately postage to the UK is just putting these models way out of my reach.

[@vespizzari]

Very nice Stuart. You know I live a biplane!

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Hey Matt, yes for sure you'd enjoy this one, flies like that old DF Se5A we kicked around back in CA ;) Stuart.

[@GUILLERMO.NESPOlO]

STUART ITS BACK !!!!

[@Kwak46]

Thanks for the great review Stuart. Ordered mine yesterday with shipping to the UK for the total of £264:00...Not too bad i think..👍🇬🇧

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Glad I could help

[@chris-jones]

this is fantastic but I question the sanity of modelling a British model that can't be bought in the UK. Any news on this Stuart? Youd have my money today if this could be sorted. surely we are a big enough market to make it worthwhile?

[@johnatkinson6759]

Global AU$261+AU$504 shipping EU AU$326+AU$645 shipping Thats a lot of money for an 1100mm Plane........that used to be in the AU$200 price range not so long ago. and FREE shipping

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

You can order from the Global warehouse with improved shipping methods

[@avipatable]

Lovely model, nice one Stuart and Durafly :)

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Glad you like it

[@DadsRCHangar]

Great Demo Stuart, love the scale features on her. Was surprised how aerobatic she was. Another great warbird 👍🏻

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Thanks 👍

[@WarbirdFan66]

damn that thing looks nice, good job guys :)

[@awood12345]

This looks great! Great subject choice.

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@awood12345]

@@HobbyKingOfficial Just tried to order and shipping is £300 to the UK. Looks like I won't be getting one of these them. :(

[@alfabeta22]

Nice Stuart!, little scale EPO jewel.

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Thanks!

[@Ozzienuck]

I love the biplane fighters of the 30s. Does Durafly have any plans for more aircraft in this series? I'd love to see them do an Avia 534B, Fiat CR42 Falco, Heinkel He51, and maybe a Hawker Fury. That would be a nice collection and probably prompt customers to purchase all of these. Could be a good marketing plan.

[@dutchloveRC]

That is a GREAT looking Bipe!!!

[@JohnVHRC]

So awesome!!

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@bradrock7731]

Order now. I bet they sell out before we are done watching Stuart!

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Lets hope so, thanks for the kind words.

[@zeno6111753]

Love it! Always wanted a Gloster Gladiator, and this size is perfect for it. Now if it only was made in balsa... ;)

[@bobi2582]

How can I get one in the UK with only global warehouse stock and over £300 in shipping and taxes?

[@JeffsCustomRC]

Looks nice buddy 👊🏼

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Thanks 👍

[@MrBlompod]

Not coming to the Australian warehouses 😭 HK why..? 😢

[@trevorgale1176]

Great job.

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@NeedSpeedRC]

Beautiful model and great price.

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Yes indeed!

[@kittonsplodge]

I can’t see why hobbyking bother these days. Their shipping costs are ridiculous.

[@jeffmaxwell7041]

Should have modeled the Fairey Swordfish with torpedo drop!….OK….Nice Gladiator though!

[@airhammer6203]

VERY nice Stuart!! Well done HK and Durafly. Finally a new/old BIPLANE!! At a reasonable price to. One question....does it use washers to get the downward/right motor pitch?? Good stuff HK. AirHammer out!!

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

No, its all built into the firewall as it should be ;)

[@kevelliott]

A Pitts in Gladiator's clothing! Never was a prettier biplane.....

[@Volksplane1]

Good flying

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Thanks!

[@coldude2559]

Nice 👍

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@300bhpton]

But has Hobbyking solved shipping to the UK yet?? I image quite a few Brits would be interested in this model. But shipping is utterly bonkers or not even available to the UK!

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Yes we have updated shipping methods from the HK warehouse to the UK, including DG. However, the Gladiator is sold out at the moment.

[@sputniksam]

Oh come on, Stuart/Hobbyking!!!£268 to ship a few foam pieces to the UK?? Other Chinese and Hong Kong based companies can ship similar items to the UK at close to 95% less than this.

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

its being urgently looked into I am assured. These comments are making it all the way to the top, so thanks for the feedback. Stuart.

[@sputniksam]

@@HobbyKingOfficial Thank you for replying, Stuart. It wasn’t only the competitive prices that Hobbyking were renowned for but also the unique models they produced, such as the Retro-Pioneer, which I won in a HK competition and still enjoy flying today. I know the dreaded B word has a lot to do with shipping to the UK along with the new compliance regulations that the UK Government are wanting to enact, but when you look at HK’s shipping prices to the UK they are still grossly unacceptable, which leads one to think that either DHL are trying to profiteer from a bad situation or HK themselves are.

[@notbadgerbutrich]

The postage must be under £100 & more spare parts

[@artesanrc]

Very nice subject but, why oh why is there no pilot in the cockpit? Surely it wouldn't add anything significant to the cost and would make it look so much better when flying.

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Actually the molded pilots we had available were a little too heavy for my liking. Still its a cockpit ready and waiting for a nice light 3Dprinted pilot. Stuart.

[@The_Pub_]

Fantastic looking plane, would love to own one, too bad Hobby king is NO Longer in Australia.. Shipping cost from overseas is just not worth it!!!! Good Bye HobbyKing...Good Bye Stuart...

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Sorry to hear that

[@smallfieldflying4677]

Hi Stuart, would love to buy this model but the cheapest shipping to the UK is £72! What's going on?

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

We're working on improving the shipping rates right now. Apologies for the current options

[@salvatorealessandrino945]

Hallo i shoot place a plasticbox With velcro and i put on the battery a piece of plastic with also vecro and the piece of plastic with two plastic bands i dont no if that is a goog idea I see that put o a other plane and he dont can be loose greetings

[@mrvoyagerm]

Looks like you have once again done your homework Stuart. I am sure people are looking for an interesting scale subject that incidentally fits in the car in one piece.

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

The Durafly Gloster Gladiator Painting and Weathering Part 1 Blog Article: bit.ly/3yxZpfd

[@Donkey_Balls]

It’s summer time mate.

[@henryharvey6609]

Nice airplane! Where's the Grumman Avenger???

[@jjs3287]

Well done Stuart, looks and flies great but.....I cant afford to get it shipped to the UK for £72! Thats crazy!

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Sorry to hear that

[@jjs3287]

@@HobbyKingOfficial Is there a reason for this? Why cant we order from the EU warehouse?

[@bearsyandwee]

Not many will be coming to the UK following a £568 delivery estimate for one and some spare parts

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

You can order from the Global warehouse with improved shipping methods

[@andysmith4394]

Is hobby king still in the uk Stuart 🤙🏻🇬🇧

[@ChaileyLeavers11]

Nope can't buy any HK stuff in UK now

[@andysmith4394]

@@ChaileyLeavers11 thanks

[@leepering6824]

Nice looking model but yet again shipping to the UK makes it a none starter!!!! £268.03 Tracking : YES Delivery 3~10 days

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

You can order from the Global warehouse with improved shipping methods

[@bearsyandwee]

Quick follow up to my last post total was £975 for one and spares. EU warehouse wont post to UK though every other retailer does!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

You can order from the Global warehouse with improved shipping methods

[@looneytunes47]

For a Biplane the Gladiator was actually pretty fast at 257 mph the only biplane that was faster was the Fiat CR42 coming in at 272 mph So for Bipes they were pretty fast at the time

[@kittonsplodge]

And only £826 shipping to the U.K.!

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

You can order from the Global warehouse with improved shipping methods

[@williamb.9110]

Stuart, you could fly a turd with wings and make it look good. Good job!

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

lol, better yet give me two wings ;) but honestly the Gladiator is a very sweet flier. Stuart.

[@CyberChrist]

Having crashed a P38 in trees, these power lines make me nervous :P

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

They are MUCH further away than they look. Stuart.

[@CyberChrist]

@@HobbyKingOfficial Of course, and you're a far better pilot than I am, which doesn't hurt ^^ But every time, I'm nervous nonetheless like I'm watching Top Gun Maverick ^^

[@ethantreat3548]

Idc what my bank account looks like the moment I see this baby in the store she’s mine

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Go ahead 'treat' yourself ;)

[@chopperharly]

ALL warehouses ??????

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

You can order from the Global warehouse with improved shipping methods

[@chopperharly]

@@HobbyKingOfficial HK Post Speedpost Service 3501g - 4000g £73.28 cheers but NO

[@mariuskah3969]

Après près de deux mois, d’attente, le problème a enfin été solutionné ; par conséquent, je retire mon avis négatif.

[@gazza4230]

Stu you’re the man but another one I can’t buy it’s not your fault like I say I like watching your reviews please open new warehouse in uk or sort eu one out unfortunately it’s all politics and money nowadays nice review of plane stu 🤘

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

Thanks for the feedback, it is being passed on. Stuart.

[@darrinbunston5932]

Your wife probably thinks you work for a toy store😁🤭👍🏻

[@darrinbunston5932]

But we are all big kids when it comes to the Hobby

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

You got that right!

[@lysander301]

Very nice but HoobyKing never have any stock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

in stock now in the US and next week in the EU

[@lysander301]

But not in the UK???????????@@HobbyKingOfficial

[@allanknights136]

Stuart,....I notice that you/HK never reply to complaints about shipping costs to the UK It's costs £268 to ship, that's twice the cost of the model...then add the model....£402 total. I know all shipping costs in the world have gone up but this is ridiculous. I know you are are going to say ...its nothing to do with us at HK. Rubbish, a company your size can negotiate with your shippers. Does the UK market not matter to you? Why are we not on your European list ( and don't try and blame Brexit). If you can't answer these questions then get your bosses to ... We in the UK demand so answers.

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

You can order from the Global warehouse with improved shipping methods

[@scottwells7797]

More comments on the shipping of this great looking plane rather than how it flies... LOOK AT THIS GREAT PLANE.... OH BY THE WAY, YOU CAN'T BUY IT UNLESS YOUR FILTHY RICH.... Stuart I know u doing all u can but as u can see there are a lot of frustrated people all ready to give HK there money for the right price.

[@HobbyKingOfficial]

You can order from the Global warehouse with improved shipping methods