Author Topic: Gloster Gladiator Ideas and Inspiration (Read 10736 times)

GTX_Admin · « **on:** December 28, 2011, 04:17:13 AM »

Hi folks,

A thread for your Gloster Gladiator Ideas and Inspiration.

Here's some to begin with:

First up, a subtle one for BdB:

Regards,

Greg

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2011, 04:17:34 AM »

Then maybe an inline engined one:

Regards,

Greg

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2011, 04:18:19 AM »

Then a different sort of Sea Gladiator:

Regards,

Greg

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2011, 04:18:54 AM »

Let's play with that engine some more:

Regards,

Greg

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2011, 04:19:46 AM »

As a back up to their F.5/34 design, Gloster also created 2 monoplane Gladiators:

The first had fixed undercarriage:

Whilst the second had a crude retractable undercarriage and stretched fuselage (but lighter armament):

Regards,

Greg

Logan Hartke · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2011, 06:53:11 AM »

That float Gladiator is awesome! Try a biplane with Grumman-type retractable gear, like the F3F.

Cheers,

Logan

Maverick · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2011, 07:05:36 AM »

Some nice stuff there Greg.

Regards,

John

sequoiaranger · « **Reply #7 on:** June 07, 2012, 02:12:27 AM »

Here is a "monoplane Gladiator" I did a long time ago. I had a "beater" tryout plane that had a better wing than this final (some Italian job), but I think it looks nice regardless---Irish Air Corps markings, with "skis" for landing in the soft bogs of Ireland.

Then....here is a top-view comparison of the Gadfly with my "Globrey Blordiator" Malta Defender, made from Blenheim/Swordfish/Gladiator and anything else lying around. Though it *LOOKS* like a Gladiator, with all the additions it is "oversized" (like a 1/64 Gladiator in a 1/72 display).

And then a side-view:

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #8 on:** June 07, 2012, 02:34:05 AM »

:) :)

raafif · « **Reply #9 on:** June 07, 2012, 05:53:06 AM »

some nice ideas that I wouldn't have though of there :)

A bi-plane with retracts would look good in USN yellow-wings & the monoplane with retracts would kill Brewster's idea to build the Buffalo

kitnut617 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 07, 2012, 06:00:12 AM »

Quote from: GTX_Admin on December 28, 2011, 04:18:54 AM

Let's play with that engine some more:

Regards,

Greg

When I build my Airfix Defiant, I'm using the DB Productions correction engine cowling on it, the cut-off cowling will go on the Gladiator I have

sequoiaranger · « **Reply #11 on:** June 08, 2012, 02:09:23 AM »

I have always liked the look of the Czech Avia B.534---your inline-engined Gladiator will look a LOT like it!!

(Maybe a 2D/3D thing, but you might have trouble with the round cowl of the Gladiator mating up with the "racetrack" oval of the Defiant nose.)

finsrin · « **Reply #12 on:** June 08, 2012, 02:46:13 AM »

WOW - Gadfly and Globrey Blordiator are super builds. Well done. :)

Jeremak · « **Reply #13 on:** June 08, 2012, 10:00:22 PM »

Mayby combine them, and make a monoplane carrier fighter with Gladiator fuselage, and Swordfish wing turned int straight?

Daryl J. · « **Reply #14 on:** June 16, 2012, 07:31:26 AM »

Can't you just envision that Gladiator on floats coming into some Norwegian Fjiord?

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #15 on:** June 16, 2012, 03:14:46 PM »

Quote from: Daryl J. on June 16, 2012, 07:31:26 AM

Can't you just envision that Gladiator on floats coming into some Norwegian Fjiord?

Or dogfighting with a He-51W...

Dr. YoKai · « **Reply #16 on:** June 17, 2012, 02:24:21 AM »

...or a parasol with a trapeeze rig, operating from His Majesty's Carrier Airship, Overshadow

Volkodav · « **Reply #17 on:** May 23, 2014, 12:28:11 AM »

Have my Airfix Gladiator I and I am not sure what to do with it. First thoughts a 1937/38 replacement for the RAAFs Bristol Bulldogs using the same scheme pre-war and similar high vis markings.

I was surprised when researching the Gladiator to see it had better performance than the Wirraway leading to the obvious whiff of Gladiators being used effectively in the defence od Australia and leaving the Wirraway to perform roles it was better suited to. Air defence of Darwin and Broome, Foliage Green examples flying close support and army cooperation missions in New Guinea (probably MkII version or Sea Gladiator). Don't know about Australian production, could be a DAP project intended to not only provide the RAAF fighter squadrons pre-war but more importantly to build experience in the aviation industry. RAAF Gladiators in Singapore and Malaya, CAP for PoW and Repulse saving the day.......

Six gun set up, anyone have any photos of the upper wing guns? .50 cal instead of .303? Underwing rocket setup like that of the Swordfish? Drop tank, bombs, depth charge, torpedo?

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #18 on:** May 23, 2014, 02:32:08 AM »

Quote from: Volkodav on May 23, 2014, 12:28:11 AM

more importantly to build experience in the aviation industry

Leave CAC out of it - I think LW would have been against the idea as the Gladiator would have been seen as "yesterday's technology"

Old Wombat · « **Reply #19 on:** May 23, 2014, 10:20:49 AM »

I intend buying a 1/48th Sea Gladiator for one in early-war RAM service.

(Not sure of colours, yet.)

In the back story;

With war looming on the horizon, the RAN & RAM realise the need to upgrade their WW1/1920's era carrier aircraft. The newest aircraft available are the Fairey Swordfish & the Gloster Sea Gladiator & they are chosen as they still use similar structural construction to their old aircraft, thus minimising the need for retraining of personnel. The Swordfish & about ²/₃ of the Sea Gladiators are purchased for the RAN, the rest of the Sea Gladiators are handed over to the RAM. The aircraft are bought direct from the UK between 1936 & 1938, with major servicing & maintenance being carried out by CAC.

Volkodav · « **Reply #20 on:** May 23, 2014, 12:30:40 PM »

Decision by committee, Fury, Demon and Hart as well as the RR Kestrel are manufactured under licence in Australia by the Department of Aircraft Production (DAP). By 1935 they are seen to be obsolescent and the RAAF wants to replace them in production with modern monoplanes, flagging the Hawker hurricane fighter and the Henley dive bomber as suitable substitutes. DAP and its government committee believe monoplanes to be too advanced and complex to be built in Australia and arrange for the Gloster Gauntlet to be manufactured instead. During licence negotiations the RAAF manage to substitute the more advanced and capable Gladiator for the Gauntlet and are also able to covertly arrange for Hawker to establish as subsidiary in Australia, initially to maintain and upgrade the existing hawker biplanes but in reality to begin assembly and later full manufacture of the Hurricane and Henley at the earliest opportunity.

Thus by the start of WWII the Gladiator is the mainstay of the RAAF fighter force and, although being supplemented and replaced in RAAF squadrons in North Africa and the Middle East, remains the most important type for home defence when Japan attacks in February 1942.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #21 on:** May 24, 2014, 04:29:15 AM »

RAN Sea Gladiators from Southern Sea Eagles:

Volkodav · « **Reply #22 on:** May 24, 2014, 07:32:13 AM »

Volkodav · « **Reply #23 on:** February 16, 2017, 11:20:22 PM »

Army Cooperation Gladiators for the Army Aviation Corps after the RAF Army Cooperation Squadrons are retuned to Army control in mid 1939.


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Author Topic: Gloster Gladiator Ideas and Inspiration (Read 10736 times)