GLOSTER GLADIATOR -
The Gloster SS.37 single-seat four-gun fighter biplane was designed by
H P Folland's team during 1933 as a Gauntlet derivative to Specification
F.7/30. A prototype, powered initially by a 485 hp Mercury IV and with
open cockpit, was flown on September 12, 1934. Armament comprised two
0.303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers guns in forward fuselage and two similar calibre
Lewis guns under the lower wings.
Gloster Gladiator I: Initial production batch of 23 ordered to Specification
F.14/35 in June 1935 and subsequent RAF contracts for 203, first flown
January 1937 and deliveries February 1937 to late 1938. Fully enclosed
cockpit, 825 hp Mercury IX with Watts two-blade wooden propeller and four
0.303 in (7.7 mm) Browning guns (early aircraft had Lewis or Vickers Mk
V underwing guns). Entered ser-vice with No 72 Squadron, February 1937.
Some converted to Gloster Gladiator II standard, and operational details
as noted under Gloster Gladiator II. During 1937, 26 Gloster Gladiator
Is supplied to Latvia and 14 to Lithuania, some of these sub-sequently
flying in Soviet markings after those countries had been sequestered in
1940. Fifteen of these Gloster Gladiators fell into German hands in 1941,
and most of them were then adapted to serve as tugs at the Erganzungsgruppe
(S) 1 glider pilot training school as Langendiebach during 1942 and 1943,
towirfg DFS 230 gliders. Norway acquired six Gloster Gladiator Is with
0.30 in (7.62 mm) Colt guns in 1938 and these were operational against
German forces in 1940. The Belgian Aeronautique Militaire acquired 22
Gloster Gladiator Is in 1937/38, these equipping the lere Escadrille de
Chasse at the time of th,e German invasion in May 1940. Fifteen Gloster
Gladiator Is went to the Iraqi Air Force in 1937-38, some being operational
in the Iraqi uprising in 1941. Up to 29 ex-RAF Gloster Gladiator Is and
Us went to Iraq in 1942-44. Max speed, 253 mph (407 km/h) at 14,500 ft
(4,420 m). Time to 10,000 ft (3,050 m), 4.75 min. Service ceiling, 32,800ft
(9,996 m). Empty weight, 3,217 Ib (1,458 kg). Gross weight, 4,594 Ib (2,082
kg). Span, 32ft 3 in (9.80 m). Length, 27ft 5 in (8.20 m). Wing area,
323 sq ft (29.9 m2).
Gloster Gladiator II: Introduced 825 hp Mercury VIIIA driving three-blade
Fairey metal pro-peller, improved instruments and equipment. Production
to Specification F.36/37, com-mencing 1939; total 318 ordered for the
RAF, completed 1939. Operational in 1939 (togeth-er with some Gloster
Gladiator Is) with two squadrons in BEF in France, in 1940 with one squadron
in Norway, and in 1940/41 with four RAF squadrons, one RAAF squadron and
three SAAF squadrons in Middle East and North Africa. Equipped 12 Meteorological
Flights in UK and flew in this and other secondary roles until 1945. Foreign
deliveries, ex-RAF includ-ed six for Norway (with six Mk Is), about 17
for Royal Hellenic Air Force in 1940/41, and some 42 for Egyptian Air
Force, 1939/41. Twelve of 55 Swedish Gloster Gladiators - designat-ed
J8 and, when fitted with Swedish-built 740 hp Mercury VII, J8A - operated
in Finland by Swedish volunteer group in Winter War of 1939/40, often
on skis, alongside 30 ex-RAF Gloster Gladiator Us used by the Finnish
Air Force itself from 1940 to 1944.
Max speed, 257 mph (414 km/h) at 14,600 ft (4,449 m). Time to 10,000 ft
(3,050 m), 4.5 min. Service ceiling, 33,500 ft (11,570 m). Gross weight,
4,864 Ib (2,206kg).
Gloster Sea Gladiator: 22 early-production Gloster Gladiator Us modified
for Naval service with arrester hook, FAA radio and equipment, delivered
December 1938 and known as Gloster Sea Gladiator (Interim). Sixty production
Gloster Sea Gladiators had catapult spools and additional equipment, delivered
early 1939. Served oper-ationally with five FAA squadrons from May 1939
(starting with No 801 aboard HMS Courageous, Feb 1939), and involved in
defence of Norway and of Malta. Gross weight, 5,020 Ib (2,272 kg). Dimensions
as for Gloster Gladiator I.
