Gloster Gladiator Mk. II (RAF/REAF No. 1411 Meteorological Flight, 1945). Gloster Gladiator Mk. II, serial number L9037, had previously formed part of the REAF’s No. 5 Squadron before been transferred to No. 1411 Meteorological Flight. This was still technically an RAF unit but was entirely run by the REAF, and its aeroplanes had Egyptian national markings though still with their original RAF serial numbers. By the final year of the Second World War, modern radio equipment had at last been installed, resulting in changes to the aeroplane’s aerials. It also had visible meteorological equipment on the wings. This machine was almost certainly amongst those which were given new fabric by REAF technicians, which was probably also when L9037 was repainted with overall silver dope. Although the weapons have been removed, they were sometimes replaced when such machines were operating away from the Egyptian heartland around Cairo. (Artwork by Peter Penev)