Gloster Gladiator
From Scramble - The Aviation Magazine
| Gloster Gladiator | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Description | ||
| Role | fighter | |
| Crew | 1 | |
| First Flight | September 1934 | |
| Entered Service | January 1937 | |
| Number built | 527 | |
| Manufacturer | Gloster | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 8.36 m | 27 ft 5 in |
| Wingspan | 9.83 m | 32 ft 3 in |
| Height | 3.22 m | 10 ft 4 in |
| Wing area | 30 m² | 323 ft² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 1,562 kg | 3,444 lb |
| Loaded | 2,206 kg | 4,864 lb |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 2,458 kg | 5,420 lb |
| Capacity | ||
| Powerplant | ||
| Engine | one Bristol Mercury IXS 645 h.p.(Gladiator Mk.1) | |
| one Bristol Mercury VIIIA 840 h.p.(Gladiator Mk.2) | ||
| Power | kW (each) | hp (each) |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | km/h | 245 mph |
| Operational range | km | miles |
| Service ceiling | m | ft |
| Rate of climb | ft/min | m/min |
| Avionics | ||
| Avionics | ||
| Armament | ||
| Armament | 4 Browning 0.303 | |
Contents |
History
A development of the Gauntlet, which it closely resembled apart from its enclosed cockpit and more powerful engine, the Gladiator was the last biplane fighter to serve with the RAF and was originally produced as a private venture. The prototype K5200 made its first flight in 1934, and already in July 1935 the first 23 Gladiator Is were ordered, later that year followed by an order for 186 aircraft. An additional 60 Sea Gladiators were manufactured for use by the F.A.A.. These were powered by the Mercury VIIIA engine, like the RAF Gladiator IIs. Of these RAF machines some 38 were later converted to Royal Navy standards, incorporating an arrester hook. By 1939 most of the Gladiators had been replaced by more modern fighters, but they were used in small numbers during the Battle of Britain. During the defence of Malta three Sea Gladiators, on loan to the RAF, "Faith", "Hope" and " Charity" gained eternal fame.
In total 527 Gladiators were built, many of which were used by an impressive number of airforces.
Versions
- Gladiator I
- Gladiator II
- Sea Gladiator
Operators
and the airforces of:
- Belgium (22)
- China (36)
- Greece (2)
- Finland (30)
- Iraq (15)
- Irish Free State (4)
- Latvia (26)
- Lithuania (14)
- Portugal (30)
- Norway (12)
- Sweden (25)
Images
More information
There are only two airworthy Gladiators in the world. The Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden owns Gladiator I L8032, G-AMRK. This aircraft has flown in the colours of the Norwegian Air Force but wears pre-war RAF colours since 2007. A second example, Gladiator II G-GLAD,N5903, which is owned by the Fighter Collection at Duxford, has finally returned to the sky in the beginning of July 2008. It wears pre-war RAF colours too.
