Warbird Information Exchange

I keep seeing supposedly authoritative websites referring to the Gloster Gladiator as being of "wood and doped fabric construction." Am I missing something? I always thought the Gladiator was almost all metal under the skin, with the only wood being used in the lower tailcone and the turtledeck.

My authoritative source is Gloster Aircraft since 1917 by Derek N James, published by Putnam, 1971 & 1987.

The chapter on the Gladiator gives a lot of detail but oddly, construction details are not addressed. Like you, I thought they were primarily metal.
Considering it was designed by Folland in 1933, that assumption makes sense.

My guess is the issue is addressed in a chapter on an earlier type (something like "The xxx set the standard for all future Glosters..." ), and the writer assumed you have read that and the issue did not need to be addressed again.

The chapter on the earlier Gauntlet does note it has an all-metal structure.

Anyway, and finally getting to the point, under the technical data for the Gladiator it says...
"Single-seat day fighter biplane. Metal construction with metal and fabric covering."

Hope this helps. About 10 years ago I set out to complete my collection of the Putnam manufacturer series, glad it finally paid off.

Stephan, haven't heard from you (or seen a post) in awhile...I hope you are doing well. I still enjoy reading your old features in Flying. The P-51 pilot report, DC-3 flight with Ernest K. Gann and story on Weldy Phipps are classics.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Stephan,

Several pictures at the link below showing The Fighter Collection's Gladiator during its rebuild at Duxford with the metal structure exposed!

https://fighter-collection.com/cft/glos ... ybox_619-9

Cheers,

Hooligan

John B, I'm alive and well, scratching along at age almost-86. Writing for Aviation History magazine these days--doing a Gladiator article, hence the original question--and you can see my many past articles at historynet.com, select aviation history.

How's the Stutz?

We need more Gladiators restored or recreated to flying condition. Great airplane and we have too many Spitfires and Hurricanes for now.

Very well, thanks. Getting ready for the International Stutz meet at Whidby Island this summer.
Also, restoring a 1955 Willys M38A1 Jeep in AF markings of my dad's unit circa 1955.

Sadly, at my age, I thinking about the eventual downsizing...so the Bearcat will be on the market soon. The perfect car for Old Rhinebeck.

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Malta Air Museum doing just that, using the sea recovered remains of Sea Gladiator N5519 for the identity. Just received a Mercury engine from Canada for their project. More on Facebook for those that use it.

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Simon King

Examples?

I must say, using “supposedly authoritative” and “websites” in the same sentence is something of an oxymoron.

There are plenty of “actually authoritative”, properly-researched printed sources on the Gladiator if you’re truly interested in the subject, none of those in my collection refer to the aircraft as being of “wood and doped fabric construction”.

I did find this article on the Gladiator which refers to “wood and doped fabric structure”, but this is quite clearly in reference to the Grebe, an earlier Gloster design.

http://www.kagero.pl/index.php?option=c ... mitstart=1

The following has been taken from the Uk CAA Airworthiness Approval Notes document for The Fighter Collection's Gladiator G-GLAD:

All-metal construction is employed for the fuselage, main planes, tail unit and strutting. The engine mounting and fuselage front portion are covered with aluminium panels, most of which are detachable. The lower portion of the engine plate is made independently detachable to facilitate removal of the engine complete with the carburettor. The fuselage rear portion and all the plane surfaces are fabric covered.

Fuselage

The fuselage is constructed almost entirely of steel tubing and is divided into four parts; known as the engine mounting, front fuselage, rear fuselage and tail bay. On assembly these parts are bolted and riveted together to form an integrated structure.

Mainplanes and Centre-Section

The mainplanes are of non-folding single-bay, wire braced biplane type with a considerable amount of stagger and there is no sweepback. Interplane struts are employed at the outer incidence bracing. The top and bottom planes have the same aerofoil section, span, chord, and incidence and dihedral angles. The mainplanes are of all-metal construction and fabric covered.

Tail unit/Tailplane

The tail unit assembly consists of a port and starboard tailplane, port and starboard elevators, fin and rudder. The tailplane is adjustable for incidence (providing pitch trim control) and is mounted at the rear of the fuselage. The tailplane front spar is braced by two external bracing wires on each side, the wires running from the outboard ends of the spar diagonally up to fittings attached to the fin leading edge structure and spar post. The underside of the tailplane front spar is also braced by a single wire on each side, the wire running diagonally down to a fitting connected to the fuselage lower longeron. The tail plane front spars are connected to the bearing beam of the fuselage, and the rear spars to the after end of the tail adjusting gear locating arm by means of which the incidence is varied.

Here's an old clip that shows the Shuttleworth Gladiator undressed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ocs3v-BhQKg

Flight test report on Shuttleworth's Gladiator

https://haa-uk.aero/document/flying-the ... gladiator/