Gloster Gladiator

Gloster Gladiator

Gloster Gladiator photographed in England in 2002
Description
RoleFighter
Crew1 pilot
First flight
Entered service
Manufacturer
Dimensions
Length27 ft 5 in8.4 m
Wingspan32 ft 3 in9.8 m
Height11 ft 7 in3.2 m
Wing area323 ft²30 m²
Weights
Empty3,444 lb1,560 kg
Loaded4,864 lb2,205 kg
Maximum takeofflbkg
Capacity
Powerplant
EnginesOne Bristol Mercury VIII AS
Power850 hp630 kW
Performance
Maximum speed257 mph at 14,600 ft414 km/h at 4,500 m
Combat rangemileskm
Ferry range444 miles710 km
Service ceiling33,500 ft10,200 m
Rate of climb2220 ft/min670 m/min
Avionics
Avionics
Armament
GunsFour x 0.303 (7.7 mm) Browning machine-guns

The Gloster Gladiator was a biplane fighter, used by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy, during World War II. The aircraft had a top speed of around 414 km/h. Gladiators were also modified for carrier operations and flown by the Royal Navy, where it was known as the Sea Gladiator.

Contents

History

First flown in 1934, and introducted into service in 1937, the Gloster Gladiator was developed from the Gauntlet biplane fighter. Even when it was introduced the design was being eclipsed by the new generation of monoplane fighters, such as the Spitfire and Messerschmitt Bf 109. When WW2 began the Gladiator was used in combat in France and Norway, but was found to be outclassed by the German fighters in most respects. Despite this, the Gladiators of the Norwegian Jagevingen at Fornebu Airport, consisting of 7 functional Gladiators, (litt: pursuitwing) managed to shoot down an not certain amount between 10 and 20 German aircrafts before they were forced down due to mechanical errors and to refill fuel and ammunition. All but 3 of the Gladiators from Fornebu were lost as they made forced landings, most on frozen lakes in or around Oslo. The Gladiators in spite of their age, also seemed to be quite effective in the rest of the Norwegian fightings. After Britains "cooperation" with the Norwegians in the end of the Norwegian campaign, the Norwegians flew most of the remaining aircrafts to the UK where they were used in further fightings.

In the North African theatre the Gladiator achieved some success against the Italian Air Force, which was equipped with a mix of biplanes and early design monoplanes. Its most notable exploit came in the defence of Malta, where for a brief period three Sea Gladiator aircraft, named Faith, Hope and Charity formed the entire air defence of the island.

In the Far East the Gladiator fared little better against the modern machines of the Japanese than it had against the Germans. It played a part in the short-lived defense of Singapore.

Carrier based Gladiators were more successful, since its slower speed made it more suitable for carrier operations and it was less likely to be facing modern figher opposition.

The Gladiator was also exported for use by the air forces of 13 other countries.

Quotes

  • Anonymous Maltese
    • "[The Gladiators] worked miracles and must have frightened the Italians." (1 - p.37)

See also:

Notable Gloster Gladiator pilots


Specifications (variant described)

General characteristics

  • Crew:
  • Capacity:
  • Length: m ( ft)
  • Wingspan: m ( ft)
  • Height: m ( ft)
  • Wing area: m² ( ft²)
  • Empty: kg ( lb)
  • Loaded: kg ( lb)
  • Maximum takeoff: kg ( lb)
  • Powerplant: Engine type(s), kN (lbf) thrust or
  • Powerplant: Engine type(s), kW ( hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: km/h ( mph)
  • Range: km ( miles)
  • Service ceiling: m ( ft)
  • Rate of climb: m/min ( ft/min)
  • Wing loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
  • Thrust/weight: or
  • Power/mass:

Units using the Gloster Gladiator

Royal Air Force

  • No. 1 Squadron
  • No. 3 Squadron
  • No. 6 Squadron
  • No. 14 Squadron
  • No. 25 Squadron
  • No. 33 Squadron
  • No. 54 Squadron
  • No. 56 Squadron
  • No. 65 Squadron
  • No. 72 Squadron
  • No. 73 Squadron
  • No. 80 Squadron
  • No. 85 Squadron
  • No. 87 Squadron
  • No. 94 Squadron
  • No. 112 Squadron
  • No. 117 Squadron
  • No. 123 Squadron
  • No. 127 Squadron
  • No. 141 Squadron
  • No. 152 Squadron
  • No. 237 Squadron
  • No. 247 Squadron
  • No. 261 Squadron
  • No. 263 Squadron
  • No. 267 Squadron
  • No. 274 Squadron
  • No. 520 Squadron
  • No. 521 Squadron
  • No. 603 Squadron
  • No. 604 Squadron
  • No. 605 Squadron
  • No. 607 Squadron
  • No. 615 Squadron

Fleet Air Arm

  • No. 800 Squadron
  • No. 801 Squadron
  • No. 802 Squadron
  • No. 804 Squadron
  • No. 805 Squadron
  • No. 806 Squadron

External links

References

  • 1 -- The Battle of Alamein: Turning Point, World War II by John Bierman and Colin Smith (2002)


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