Gloster Gladiator - Specifications (Gloster Gladiator Mk I)

Specifications (Gloster Gladiator Mk I)

Data from Gloster Aircraft since 1917

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 27 ft 5 in (8.36 m)
• Wingspan: 32 ft 3 in (9.83 m)
• Height: 11 ft 9 in (3.58 m)
• Wing area: 323 ft² (30.0 m²)
• Empty weight: 3,217 lb (1,462 kg)
• Loaded weight: 4,594 lb (2,088 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Bristol Mercury IX radial engine, 830 hp (619 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 253 mph (220 knots, 407 km/h) at 14,500 ft (4,400 m)
• Cruise speed: 210 mph
• Stall speed: 53 mph (46 knots, 85 km/h)
• Endurance: 2 hours
• Service ceiling: 32,800 ft (10,000 m)
• Rate of climb: 2,300 ft/min (11.7 m/s)
  
• Climb to 10,000 ft (3,050 m): 4.75 min

Armament

• Guns:
  
  • Initially; Two synchronised .303 in Vickers machine guns in fuselage sides, two .303 in Lewis machine guns; one beneath each lower wing.
  • Later aircraft; Four Browning machine guns; 2 synchronised guns in fuselage sides and one beneath each lower wing.

In at least some Sea Gladiators, provision existed for a pair of Brownings to be fitted under the upper wings as well, bringing the total to six. Official service release trials were not completed before the Sea Gladiators were replaced by later types - but some upper wing Brownings may have been fitted in the field, in particular in Malta.