| Gloster Gladiator |
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| Country:
UK |
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Type: Fighter |
| Manufacturer:
Gloster |
| Service:
1937 - 1953 |
| First
Flight: 12 September 1934 |
| Production:
747 |
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The Gloster Gladiator (or Gloster SS.37) was a British-built biplane fighter, used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Royal Navy (as the Sea Gladiator variant) and was exported to a number of other air forces during the late 1930s. It was the RAF's last biplane fighter aircraft and was rendered obsolete by newer monoplane designs even as it was being introduced. Though often pitted against more formidable foes during the early days of the Second World War, it acquitted itself reasonably well in combat.
It saw action in almost all theatres during the Second World War, with a large number of air forces, some of them on the Axis side. The RAF used it in France, Norway, Greece, the defence of Malta, and the brief Anglo-Iraqi War (in which, ironically, the Royal Iraqi Air Force was similarly equipped). Other countries deploying the Gladiator included China against Japan, beginning in 1938; Finland (along with Swedish volunteers) against the Soviet Union in the Winter War and the Continuation War; and Norway, Belgium, and Greece resisting Axis invasion of their respective lands.
The Gladiator was largely replaced in front line RAF service by the Hurricane and Spitfire at the outbreak of the Second World War, although two squadrons were used in the French and Norwegian campaigns. It would, however, see service in more peripheral campaigns during the early years of the Second World War. The classic biplane fighter was also one of Britain's biggest pre-war export successes, seeing service in many countries. The Gloster Gladiator performed reasonably well in limited Finnish service against Soviet fighters during the Winter War, but was found to be outclassed by German fighters in other theatres. Carrier-based Sea Gladiators were more successful, since their slower speed made them more suitable for carrier operations and they were less likely to be facing more modern fighter opposition.
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| TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS ( Gladiator Mk I) |
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General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 27 ft 5 in (8.4 m)
- Wingspan: 32 ft 3 in (9.8 m)
- Height: 11 ft 7 in (3.2 m)
- Wing area: 323 ft (30 m)
- Empty weight: 3,444 lb (1,560 kg)
- Loaded weight: 4,864 lb (2,205 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: lb (kg)
- Powerplant: 1 x Bristol Mercury IX radial engine, 850 hp (630 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 257 mph (414 km/h) at 14,600 ft (4,500 m)
- Range: 444 mi (710 km)
- Service ceiling 33,500 ft (10,200 m)
- Rate of climb: 2220 ft/min (11.2 m/s)
- Wing loading: lb/ft (kg/m)
- Power/mass: hp/lb (W/kg)
Armament
- Guns: Two Synchronised .303in. Browning machine-guns on sides of front fuselage, and one beneath each lower wing.
In at least some Sea Gladiators, provision existed for a pair of Brownings to be fitted under the upper wings as well, bringing the total to six. Official service release trials were not completed before the Sea Gladiators were replaced by later types - but some upper wing Brownings may have been fitted in the field, in particular in Malta.
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