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    Warpaint 37 Gloster Gladiator

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    1K views52 pages

    Warpaint 37 Gloster Gladiator

    Uploaded by

    Raul Garcia
    Warpaint 37 Gloster Gladiator

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 52
    WARPAINT SERIES No. 37 Gloster Soe Glasto NSSTAM, Glaitr Fiat Hal Far, Mata. June 1040, ‘po aag nn Ba Sn rey a Ba Ste ry top oot rt Bs Seu Gloytght Sto Gry. Al cher curaces Se Grey oxcpl undertes owe ning vat a hele tic re Rg (pr Sd Whe fear) Gloster h ne biplane fighter was a completely | ‘outdated class of aierat by the out break of World War 2 in September 1939, though several ofthe major ar forces still had such obsolescent biplanes remain ing in service, These included the Royal Ait Force, whose lst biplane fighter, the Gloster Gladiator, ws the last in along and distin- guished line dating back to World War I. Te as desribed by some as the ultimate man ifestaton ofits type ~ and of a bygone age With hindsight the Gladiator should not hhave entered service, but that it dd so. is a monument to conservative _ thinking However, by the stat of World War 2 most ‘squadrons of Fighter Command had been re ‘equipped with modern Hurricanes and Spitfires. The Gladiator was, however, an ‘The Gaditor's fore eunnor, the Gloster 68.37 ints origin! form ae submits in 1834 whieh front ter ngs retained he pen coc important type inthe rapid expansion ofthe RAF during the late 1930s. Many squadrons flew them and many pilots learmed their trade on the Gladiator during that period. The Gladiator remained on the frontline superior aircraft. That the Gladiator order of batle until 1941, though its pilots squadrons achieved the success they did is a ‘often fought against the odds and against far testament as much to its superb lying quali- Nonwegien Air Force colours for fim work GLOSTER GLADIATOR WARPAINT PAGE’ ‘above: The prottype editor now sera K5200 being Hlown by tet plot Gary Sayer and cary- ing the Hendon ‘new types’ number“. elaine the open cockpl. Below: Gleietor 1 KT964 was Gotvrea on 3 July 1937 trom th second production batch but was retained by the company for vr Tous propllor and armament ties as well their pilots courage. DEVELOPMENT ‘The Gladiator was a logical development from Gloster designer H. P. Folland’s suc- cessful Gauntlet that had entered service in ‘mid-1935 and become the RAP'S standard Fighter. Although proposals in. 1933 had ‘been made for new fighters against specif cation F7/30 Glosters, who were preoecu pied with Gauntlet development, perceived that a development ofits new fighter might provide insurance and gain some production contracts “Ths in early 1934 the Gloster team led by H.P Folland began constuction of a proto- type $8.37 that was completed for a first, flight the following September by Fit Lt P E.G. Sayer. Carrying the number G37 it was powered by a 645 hp Mercury VIS engine, carried four machine guns, double the then standard armament, anda tp speed cof 242 mph was demonstrated. Furher mod- iffeaion saw the prototype fitted with an enclosed cockpit and 2 more powerful First squacron withthe Gladiator was No 72 thi apples colour ea and blue marking fn the fusclage nd winge: KES0 nearest was the second preducton aera PAGE? GLOSTER GLADIATOR. WARPAINT “Mercury engine whilst other modern fittings included flaps on all four wings were added The urgency ofthe RAF’s expansion scheme then led events. The sceptical Air Ministry sponsored an evaluation, so on 3 April 1935 the prototype was transferred to RAF charge as K5200, At the A&AEE Martlesham Heath it underwent f period of testing and evaluation and in June production plans were laid out which envisaged use of an $40 hp Mercury IX, four Viekers MV guns and improved discs. A new specification, F.14/33, was written specifically for the new type and contract 4419392/35 for 23 aireraft, with the serial numbers K6129-K6151, was placed. On 1 July Gloster's new’ figiter was officially hhamed ‘Gladiator’ Testing and tooling con- tinued apace and prosiction was set up a the Hucclecote factory with the ftstairralt, of the intial production batch being deliv- fered on 16 February 1937 PRE-WAR USE, Te first squadron to receive the Gladiator was No, 72 at Tangmere that had been newly re-formed on 22 February 1937. A nucleus for it was provided by the co-located No. | Squadron and in temporary command was FILLE. M. Donaldson. The first four t= craft, K6130-K6134, were collected from the Gloster factory at Brockworth and the remainder were soon delivered. No. 72 con- tinued 19 work up afer its move in June to ‘Church Fenton in Yorkshire where Sgn Lie E. J. L, Hope arrived as CO. Although his flight “commanders were experienced, Hope's pilots were mainly new and on short service commissions coming to No. 72 straight from flying training, With further deliveries from the frst pro- duction batch the next unit to re-equip Was No.3 Squadron at Kenley under Sgn Ld H. LLP. Lister heginning on 2 April. Their first i, ee ee Gloster Gladiator camouflage and markings Drawings by Richard J. Caruana aes) cous suas OrkEam eam Datum Utne SyGoy Sy Fac ser'olow Ugh ores Iie Onrcr Hert Greer Daf cran Bh be ALOE a ‘fesoa)” “sand!” tors)” “meray” gimang) rina) Lot Gloster Glatrprtetype 7 D) Sope ovr a iar arose, edorsad Su |) itr meta anes Fel: losis Cdl po ests Seats Sota pate a Selon: loge Gado Ml KES, <1 9 Seuninn, Roto, St Bae Glster attr, ‘Seca ‘var en feels Supper ae eer (GLOSTER GLADATOR WARPAINT PAGES sora angers gs. 0 ee SEES Ea Seige mar sow: Gloster Gladator ml 7612, $33 ator la, ey 198 ‘atten tnt ee tabi opened Sean sero pt: Gloster Gtadatr 479963, Nesey Saucten 1956 Ar Ontrce Eretdos Sanaa sive echme, Wate green in wn Yolow weee ee. aircraft was K6145 that had the CO at the 10 demonstrate the skills of the RAF at vari- February 1938 No. 33 Squadron at Ismailia ‘controls when its engine cut on takeoff from U8 air shows that proved so popular. in Egypt was re-equipped. Formerly Brockworth necessitating a hasty ross wind Next was one of the new ‘expansion’ bomber squadron with Harts it underwent @ landing. No. 3's time with the Gladitor squadrons, No. 73 which used some Furies period of fighter training, being joined by should have been brief as it was re-equipped interim equipment and which by the end No. 0 Squadron that in May had been post- with Hurricanes the following March, ofthe year was setled at Digby. Also newly ed out from England, However, their home at Kenley was deemed formed and replacing its temporary Fury Ils Mid-1938 also saw No. 85 Squadron, too small forthe fast monoplancs, spin July as Debden based No. 87 Squadron Who's reformed st Debden in June issued. with it had to revert to Gladiators thet were fist Gladiators also arrived in June. Some Gladiators pending the arrival of its retained until after moving to Biggin Hill Finally, 10July saw the delivery of K7982 Hurricanes, Gladiators also hecame the tem mid 1939, to the famous No, 56 Squadron at North porary equipment for No, 25 Squadron at ‘Asccond production batch of 186 airerat Weald and ittoo was equipped by the end of Hawkinge wien in June they replaced their followed immediately and these were deliv the month “interim” Demons pending the arial of cred to several squadrons, including No. 80 This completed. the initial Fighter Blenheim fs at the end of the year. St Debden. However, this unit soon moved Command re-equipment, so an effort to Although the mid to late 1930s were in to Egypt where they later Became the lead- improve the defences ofthe Suez Canal, in many “ways the heyday for colourful ing exponents ofthe Gladiator in combat ‘The first Gladiators for Sqn Lar C. A. Bouchier’s No. $4 Squadron at Hornchurch arrived on 27” April and their neighbours ‘were another distinguished squadron, No. 65, under Sqn Lat C.F. H. Grace, who collected their aireraftdireet from the factory on 14 May 1937. The more modem features ofthe new fighter were not, however, welcomed by everyone. No. 65% CO reportedly flew back to Hornchurch with the bood open and refused to land with the Maps! This squadron was typical of the time and its aircraft wore colourful squadron markings and taining concentrated on ‘set piece” fighter attacks and formation flying. Like some other squadrons, No. 65 formed an aerobatic tam, No. 72 Squadron removed is markings for an ‘xecege Ito 1057 whon i wae eotached to RAE Famborough PAGE4 GLOSTER GLADIATOR WARPANT squadron markings, some units dd not wear their raion gat on their new aera No S4restced tet fns coloured inthe Sauadton colours, whilst No. 56% famous Fal and white cheeks were not wor ether. No. 56 ideniied self only with its badge Within awhile arrowhead on the fin. Most Sauadrons carried these, including Nos. 33, and. $0" in Egypt, though the ‘new’ Squarons, 72,73 and 87 ~all decorated the fuselage and wings of their aireraft with colourful askin. “The Gladiators ie in the ton line ith Fighter Command was relatively bret. Aor No.3 brie Matin with Hureanes, No. 56 was the fist to re-equip with Hurricanes in May 1038, quickly followed by Nos 73 and $7 Squadrons in July and No, 85 in September, Thi, at he te ofthe Munich Cts in September, Gladiators equipped just five squadrons, though (No, 25" was out to reesve Ne Beneims, These units ‘went onto-a war foting aa confit with Germany loomed, Aira were camou- flaged and” markings toned down, Eventually, to” replace the” colourful squadron marking, fworleer unit identity ‘odes (‘Squadron Codes’) were worn, These Codes were: OP" for No. 3 Squadron, RX for 25, DL for 54,72 for 68 and "RN’ for ‘No. 73 Squadron. The Crisis passe, bata new ungeney was placed on taining. and receipt of more modern equipment with ‘hich to fice the might ofthe Luftwaffe The folowing spring tote evident eit of thei pilots, these las thee squadrons ll e- tsuipped wth Spite ts whilst No.3, hav= ing moved fron Kenley, finally r-equipped ‘vith Hurricanes once more in Sly 1938. ‘As the, Regular squadrons. were re- . equiped s Gladiators were passed 0 0! roy: The agcond squint arm was No 5 which presented this impacsive nu ofthe squadrons of the Auxiliary Air Force Aorashureh forinapection in 1837, Below: Te leacng wert o this to from B Fight, No. 72 tring with No, 607 (Cowniy of Datham) Squadron Rete, weare abe info denote We ara the Fight Commander GLOSTER GLADATOR WARPPAINT PAGES Squadron, I's firs, K6147, was delivered on 12 December 1938; it later became the only Ailiary unit to claim a confirmed kill with the type. No, 605 ‘County of Warwick’ SSquadton in February 1939 was next, soon followed by Nos. 603 (City of Edinburgh) and 615 (County of Surrey) Squadrons and Tike the other Auxiliary fighter units were to play a key role inthe defence of Britain dur- ing 1940 PAGE® GLOSTER GLADIATOR WARPAINT INTO ACTIVE SERVICE, Overseas, however, where probable opposi- tion was likely 10 be lest modem, new squadrons continued to form with the Gladiator with No, 112 forming in Egypt in mmide1939 whilst in Aden in March, No. 94 began forming at Khormaksar for the efence of the vital port and the Red Sea approaches. Another nowy formed squadron was No. 7310 ‘which K7GE5 belongod end which cari tole newly sesigned cletintive. blue and yellow imertnge The Gladiator first fired its guns inaction with the RAF during the inter-factional fighting between the Arab and Jewish com- munities in Palestine. The Egyptisn-hased squadrons, Nos. 33 and 80, each sent detach rents to assist in the peacekeeping cam- ppign and usually operated from Ramleh, “The Gladiators were often in action against the dissidents, strafing attacks being made from low level, Atypical action by No. 33 Squadron was on 10 Novernber 1938 when five Gladiators made attacks during a cordon ‘operation at Beit Fulk, One aircraft crashed ater being hit by sniper fire and although the injured pilot was rescued, he later ded Daring these operations betwoen September and December, No. 33 flew over 1,800 hours ‘but ost tree aircraft and to pilots No. 80 Squadron was to see comparable amounts of action and also suffered some Tosses, K7909 being abandoned after a force landing on 12 September, for example. Gladiator K7020 shows the markings of No. 54 Saustaron which were restricted othe tn oi. [After seeing a considerable amount of polic- ing action, oth squadrons. eventually returned to Egypt DEFENDING BRITAIN Following the outbreak of war against ‘Germany in September 1939 the Luftwaffe ‘beyan occasional reconnaissance patrols off the north east coast of Britain, mainly to locate the major units of the Royal Navy. Fighter Command therefore ordered fighter patrols, the fist by Gladiators being flown from Turnhouse by No. 603 Squadron on 5 September. It was uneventful. The squadron began re-equipping with Spitfires soon ater- wards, though other new squadrons were forming. Amongst them was No. 263 at Filton on 2 October under Sqn Lar J. W Donaldson and No, 152 at Acklington on the DS"ROLNgioN” alengdtde' them and ‘on the moming of the 17th opened the Gladiators aecount against the Luftwatte. Three aircraft led by Fit Lt Sample in 7995:AF-O were serambled over the Noth Sea after aplot and in broken cloud eventu- ally found & Dornier Do 18 flying boat of No 65'° CO decided to carry the unite red {hovron badge dlagonaly aown the fh tough wet thoy wore warn on the wing is 2/KUPIGr 606. Attacking in tum the Gladiators repeatedly hit the Domier and it Timped away to ditch shortly afterwards No. 152 Squadron eventually found action ‘on 29 January 1940 when a He ITT ws shot down over Druridge Bay and its nex ry came on 27 February when Ble patrolled Fame Island brought down anoth- er These patrols were not without loss as the squadron lost its own CO who went missing cover the sea, ‘The Lufwaffe’s interest in the Flest anchorage at Scapa Flow in Orkney led to fighter units being formed in the northern isles, For the defence of Shetland, No. 152's "Flight moved to Sumburgh but in mid December was re-named “Fighter Fi Shetland’. The Flight had occasional com- bats and on 18 April over the sea Fg. Off Gillen caught a Ju 88. He hit one of the After brit period with ntrim equipment the fen formed No, 87 Squadron aise received ‘Gaalatore, though te maringe were roevicted to the useage GLOSTER GLADIATOR WARPAINT. PAGE? ape respon — Ge Rese at Belo: lostr Gladiator Mi, K7076, A Fig, Net) oaaron Sanda sche Re tla ‘itl cover potehed spi fo su Semoetne mize, * $ Sao ty aod ltrs on ueslage se le nae a ERS eae on Sees ter etieas Sumas se Seunaon ep © ( 9) AE i bs ar Oe Ad mi BAI) % le ondesieg reasons deter PAGE® GLOSTER GLADIATOR WARPANT ‘engines and it descended towards the sea =a probable. The Flight had another combat on 5 June when a Do 17 was found north of Lerwick at 7,000 and after several bursts it dived into the sea and was this time con firmed, Later the Flight moved to Roborough for the defence of Plymouth and on | August it became No. 247 Squadron - the only Gladiator sguadron with Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain, Luckily it saw Tittle setion but on the evening 6 November Ph. OM Winter damaged an. He 111 off Falmouth, This was in the last combat of home-based Gladiators and soon afterwards the squadron re-cquipped with Huricanes and the Gladiator was relegated to second Tine duties inthe UK. BLITZKRIEG In mid-November 1939 Nos, 607 and 615, Squadrons joined to form No. 60 Wing ‘which was an element ofthe Air Component ‘of the British Expeditionary Force thon moving to France. Based inthe mud at Vitry fen Artois the Gladiators of the two Squadrons flew regular patrols through the bitter winter, but (perhaps fortunately) they only had one contact with the Luftwaffe. On 29 December Fit Lt Sanders in N2308:KW- T found an He 111 of WeKuSta 26 and although he fired off almost all of his aramu- nition; the RAF's final combat for 1939 ‘The Glatator Mis of No. 3 Squadron, wih i nearoet, Wore well roposenteg a aie play for VIPs in 1857. The squadron makings ‘wore green resulted in only a “damage During the spring both squadrons had con verted to Hurricanes. and. were heavily ‘engaged when the German offensive opened ‘on 10 May. RAF Gladiators may have seen 8 few combats, but most surviving arerat were evacuated to England where they were issued to other units. One was ‘G' Flight Which was formed at Manston and existed between 23-30 May under Flt Lt Sanders during the Dunkirk evacuation. When this ad hoc Flight was disbanded its aircraft passed fn to other units. Other ‘evacuees’ found their way in small numbers to various Unit No. 16 Squadron, « Lysander-equipped army co-operation squadron, had one which had been brought out of France. Most, however were relegated to second line tasks relat- cd later, NORWAY In late 1939 No. 263 Squadron had 22 Gladiator Ils and received stores and tans port asa “mobile squadron, intended to {oree Finland, However, he plan lapsed with the end of the “Winter War". Te German invasion of Scandinavia, however, resulted in frantic efforts to suppor the Norwegians Having been equipped for mobile opera. tions, No. 263. Squadron. was therefore ‘ordered to move and provide fighter cover to Nowy formed In 1957 at Debden, No 80 ‘Squadron, where K7915 was seen, moved tothe idle ast the following year. GLOSTER GLADIATOR WARPAINT PAGES Gloster Gladiator production list Royal Alr Force Mark umber Savile Manufacturer Remarks Procype 1 Ks200 Shoeterarcrt| r 23 Ket2eKets! ——GterAtcrat_ Lewis gunsinunderwing pods 1 Seo Kreo2 a0 Creos7e2s ——Gostr Area —_K7892.K7928 and with unsaning Lens gun. K7229-K7298 win Veer K guns 1 2 Laosianae Get Atcat u 12 Nagoszsi4 ——Goetor Area’ Butch of 5,38 of whch but ab Sea Gla (orm) N24 Nera Neo N5E20 N56 Neeeo.NE729 Neeio-Neese NES7ENGES ——GloetrAreralt Royal Navy (Sea Gladiator) mom 38 Nzzes.Nzso2 ——

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