The Gloster F.5/34 is one of the more obscure pre-W.W. II prototypes.
Even more obscure is the aircraft it spawned, the Gloster F.5 Mk. II.
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Bristol Mercury IX-III=VI radial engine, the prototype fighter would become almost known as the Griffin.
The Air Ministry, somehow seeing potential in the original Gloster F.5/34 ordered an improved version.
A bit non-plussed by the Ministry's lack of foresight but glad for the cash, Gloster delivered new the F.5 Mk. II for testing at the Royal Aircraft Establishment - Hurtlesham Heath Branch Annex in mid-1938.
Even though the Griffin would be hard-pressed to match the performance of existing Hurricanes and Spitfires, it was very heavily armed with two 28.63 m.m. cannon and six .303 machine guns in the wings.
Flight testing proceeded apace and the F.5 Mk. II was reputed to be quite maneuverable with an incredibly tight turning radius for the day.
The Griffon was then sent to RAF Benny Hill for gunnery testing in early 1939.
The timing couldn't have been better as the Griffin would soon be called upon for its one and only combat sortie.
During First Prague Spring Crisis in March, 1939, it was ordered to chase off a flock of rogue doves that was interfering with the "chain home" RDF network. Whether this was some kind of mis-directed peace overture remains unknown.
An indication of just how forward-thinking the Gloster firm was, these events preceded the hit single by over three decades.
Regardless how cutting-edge the Gloster concern may have been, that wouldn't compensate for lack of lubrication of the Bristol Mercury IX-III=VI's rocker-arm sleeves.
The aircraft made an emergency landing due to engine failure, its sole mission aborted.
Fortunately, the doves' instinctual migratory patterns kicked in and they soon went along their way, returning the "chain home" stations to full service.
Surpassed by more capable aircraft before it was even rolled out, no more Gloster F.5 Mk. IIs would ever be built and the lone example sank into ignominy long before the end of the war. To this day, the so-called "experts" insist it's all just to flighty to have ever been real.
Brian da Basher