Gloster Nightjar Country: UK Type: Fighter Manufacturer: Gloster Service: 1922 - 1924 First Flight: 1921 Production: 22

The Nightjar was a British carrier based fighter aircraft of the early 1920s. It was a modification of the earlier Nieuport Nighthawk fighter produced by Gloster after the Nieuport & General company, who designed the Nighthawk closed down. Twenty-two were converted, serving from 1922 to 1924.

Nieuport & General closed down in August 1920, and the rights to the Nighthawk were purchased by the Gloster Aircraft Company, who hired Folland as chief designer. Gloster proceeded to produce a number of derivatives of the Nighthawk, calling them Gloster Mars. The final derivative of the Nighthawk was the Gloster Mars X, also known as the Nightjar. This was intended as a single seat shipboard fighter to replace Sopwith Camels aboard Royal Navy aircraft carriers.

The Nightjar entered service with 203 Squadron at RAF Leuchars in June 1922. Six Nightjars of 203 Squadron were deployed aboard HMS Argus in September 1922, when Argus sailed for the Dardanelles during the Chanak Crisis. The Nightjar continued to serve with fighter flights aboard Royal Navy aircraft carriers until replaced by the Fairey Flycatcher in 1924.

General characteristics