Gloster Gladiator F.Mk.I
| GENERAL DATA | |||
| Other Designation(s) | Gloster SS.37 |
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| Type | Fighter |
Crew | 1 |
| Manufacturer(s) | Gloster Aircraft Company, Ltd. |
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| Production | 747; 378 (Mk.I), 270 (Mk.II), 60 (Sea Gladiator) |
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| First Flight | 12 September 1934 |
Introduction | 23 February 1937 |
| Variants | |||
| SS.37 | Prototype | ||
| Gladiator Mk.I | Version powered by a single 840 hp Bristol Mercury IX air-cooled radial piston engine. The aircraft was designated J 8 in Swedish Air Force service. Delivered 1937–38, 378 built. | ||
| Gladiator Mk.II | Version powered by a single Bristol Mercury VIIIA air-cooled radial piston engine. The aircraft was designated J 8A in Swedish Air Force service. Delivered 1938–39, 270 built. | ||
| Sea Gladiator Interim | Single-seat fighter biplane for the Royal Navy, 38 modified Gladiator II aircraft. Fitted with arrestor hooks. | ||
| Sea Gladiator | Single-seat fighter biplane for the Royal Navy, 60 built. Fitted with arrestor hooks and provision for dinghy stowage. | ||
| DIMENSIONS | |||
| Length | 8.36 m |
Empty Weight | 1459 kg |
| Wingspan | 9.83 m |
Loaded Weight | 2084 kg |
| Height | 3.58 m |
Max takeoff weight | ? kg |
| Wing area | 30.0 m² |
Wing loading | ? kg/m² |
| ARMAMENT | |||
| Main Guns | 4 × x .303 (7.7 mm) Browning MG*/** |
Ammunition Carried | 2 x 600 (fuselage), 2 x 400 (wings) |
| Secondary Guns | - |
Ammunition Carried | - |
| Other Armament | Small bombs only |
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(*) two synchronised guns in fuselage sides and one beneath each lower wing
(**) Initially: two synchronised .303 in Vickers machine guns in fuselage sides, two .303 in Lewis machine guns; one beneath each lower wing.
Some Sea Gladiators, provision existed for a pair of Brownings to be fitted under the upper wings as well, bringing the total to six.
| POWERPLANT | |||
| Engine | 1 × Bristol Mercury IX |
Type & Displacement | 9-cyl. air-cooled radial piston,
24.9 L |
| Horsepower (maximum) | 830 hp |
Power/Weight Ratio | 398.27 hp / ton* |
| Fuel Capacity | 291 L in its main tank and an additional 91 L in its gravity tank, totaling 382 L
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(*) for loaded weight
| PERFORMANCES | |||
| Maximum Speed | 407-414 km/h at 4420 m |
Cruise Speed | 340 km/h at 4600 m |
| Stall Speed * | 85 km/h |
Service Ceiling | 10570 m |
| Rate of Climb | 12 m/s |
Range | 714 km |
(*) vitesse de décrochage
| Sources | |||
| Wikipédia | fandavion.free.fr | ||
Drawings |
| Sea Gladiator Mk.I |
