Gloster Gladiator Biplane Fighter Family
The Gloster Gladiator was the RAF last biplane fighter and its first fighter with an enclosed cockpit. Developed from Gloster earlier Gauntlet, the family combined a radial engine, retractable landing gear, and four-gun armament in a transitional design that served Britain and several allied air forces before and during the Second World War, including the celebrated defence of Malta and operations in Norway, Greece, China, and North Africa.
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Identity
- Aliases
- GladiatorSS.37G.37Sea GladiatorGladiator Mk IGladiator Mk II
- Family Name
- Gloster Gladiator
- Full Name
- Gloster Gladiator Biplane Fighter Family
- Roles
- military
- Status
- retired
- Type
- aircraft
Details
- Aircraft Specs
- Configuration
- fixed_wing
- Operating Modes
- land
- Takeoff Landing Capabilities
- conventional
- Description
- The Gloster Gladiator was the RAF last biplane fighter and its first fighter with an enclosed cockpit. Developed from Gloster earlier Gauntlet, the family combined a radial engine, retractable landing gear, and four-gun armament in a transitional design that served Britain and several allied air forces before and during the Second World War, including the celebrated defence of Malta and operations in Norway, Greece, China, and North Africa.
- First Flight Year
- 1,934
- Manufacturer
- Propulsion Configurations
- Entries
- Count
- 1
- Placement
- fuselage
- Propulsion System
- Role
- main
- Stage
- airframe
- Variant Notes
- Bristol Mercury VIIIA in Gloster Gladiator K8042
- Name
- Mercury VIIIA
- Notes
- Gloster Gladiator single-engine installation
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 6, 2026 at 22:39:04 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 14, 2026 at 07:01:24 UTC