United Kingdom's Gloster Gladiator fighter1
Gloster Gladiator fighter:
Gloster Gladiator fighter (Shuttleworth Collection in Bedfordshire with markings of the No. 247 Squadron):
Gloster Gladiator fighter:
Gloster Gladiator fighter:
Gloster Gladiator Mk I fighter cockpit:
Design
The Gloster Gladiator by 1939 was scheduled to be replaced.2 However, due to the war time emergency it was decided to keep it in production.2
A basic metal construction with fabric covering.1 The forward and rear spars were made of high tensile steel and the wing leading edges were made of duraluminum.1
The radio was located in a compartment behind the pilot.1 The cockpit was completely enclosed.1
Prototypes
First flew in September 1934.1,2
Production
A total of 581 were built.1
- Mk I: 378.2
- Mk II:
- Interim Sea Gladiator: 38 Mk IIs converted.2
- Sea Gladiator: 60.2
Variants
- Gladiator Mk I (early): Had two 7.7 mm Vickers and two 7.7 mm Lewis MGs.1 Used Bristol Mercury IX engine (840 HP).2
- Gladiator Mk I (later):
- Gladiator Mk II: Three blade metal propellar.1 Used Bristol Mercury VIIA or VIIAS engine (840 HP).2 Was intended for use in North Africa so was fitted with tropical equipment.2
- Sea Gladiators: Had an arrestor hook, dinghy fairing, and catapult points.1,2 Use on the carriers Courageous, Eagle, and Glorious.1
Usage
Gladiators saw action in North Africa, Greece, and Palestine in 1939 and 1940.1 These were mostly flown by Australians and South Africans.1
United Kingdom
Gladiators entered the RAF in 1937.1 Eventually 20 squadrons in England were equipped from 1937 to 1940.1 The No. 247 Squadron was the last to fly them.1
The last of the Gladiators were taken out of service in 1944.1
Malta
In early June 1940, on Malta, there were Sea Gladiators that were named Faith, Hope, and Charity.1
China
China received 36 in 1938.1
Finland
Bought Gladiators and used them against the Soviets.1 Some had ski landing gear installed.1
Norway
Norway used the Gladiators early in the war and some had ski landing gear installed.1
Portugal
Portugal also had Gladiators.1
Sweden
A Swedish squadron, that fought with the Finns against the Soviets, shot down twelve Soviet aircraft for three Gladiator losses.1
Eighteen Gladiators were designated JBA and had Nohab Mercury VIIIS.3 radial engines.2
| Gloster Gladiator Mk I1 | Gloster Gladiator Mk II2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fighter1 | Fighter2 |
| Crew | 11 | 12 |
| Engine (Type) | Bristol Mercury Mk IX1 | Bristol Mercury VIIIA piston2 |
| Cylinders | Radial1 | Radial2 |
| Cooling | Air1 | |
| HP | 8401 | 8402 |
| Propeller blades | 21 Wood1 |
|
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 32' 3"1 9.83 m1 |
32' 3"2 9.83 m2 |
| Length | 27' 5"1 8.36 m1 |
27' 5"2 8.36 m2 |
| Height | 10' 4"1 3.15 m1 |
11' 9"2 3.63 m2 |
| Wing area | 323 ft2 1 30.01 m2 1 |
323 ft2 2 30.01 m2 2 |
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 3,450 lb1 1,565 kg1 |
|
| Loaded | 4,751 lb1 2,155 kg1 |
|
| Performance | ||
| Speed @ 14,500' / 4,420 m |
253 mph1 407 kph1 |
255 mph2 410 kph2 |
| Climb in 9 1/2 minutes | 20,000'1 6,095 m1 |
|
| Climb | 2,300'/minute2 701 m/minute2 |
|
| Service ceiling | 33,000'1 10,060 m1 |
33,000'2 10,060 m2 |
| Range | 340 miles1 547 km1 |
440 miles2 708 km2 |
| Armament | ||
| Nose | 2: 7.7 mm Browning MG1 | |
| Wings | 2: 7.7 mm Browning MG1 | |
| Production |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
