Classic British Aircraft - Gloster Gladiator

Entering service in 1936 it was the RAF's last biplane fighter. With a top speed of 250mph it was already outdated in comparison with its considerably faster contemporaries such as the Hawker Hurricane which entered service just a year later. Yet despite this, the Gloster Gladiator has become the stuff of legend, coming to symbolise the determination to fight despite overwhelming odds.

[@television1066]

Apologies I noticed a glitch so re-uploaded after first few views, but wanted to post John's comment below, as it's the type of info I really enjoy and appreciate John jephcote This was the one that 'Bill' Waterton 'found' lying around at Gloster when he was working for them on Meteors and Javelins. he had it spruced up and flew it. I last saw it in a display at Whitehall about 1962/3. The mid-air collision with Sgt. Gaskell's Gladiator just pre-war resulted in the distinctive cheek scar of Stanford Tuck (from the rigging's streamlined RAF wire).

[@towgod7985]

I knew a pilot who flew Gladiators in 40/41 with the SAAF, he went up against the Regia Aeronautica in Africa and their CR42'S. He was dead fast adamant that the Gladiator had several performance advantages over the Italian fighter.

[@television1066]

That must have been fascinating to hear a first hand account of the Gladiator in action. A real end of an era aviation encounter

[@towgod7985]

@@television1066 He was great to talk with, and the fact that he was there to have a conversations about combat with the FIAT I think proved his point. Great video BTW. Cheers.

[@petesheppard1709]

Beautiful; an excellent _homage_ to a classic aircraft. Just PLEASE repaint her in the stunningly beautiful 1930s RAF livery!!

[@richardw64]

Great video, thank you.

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

Beautiful for the early to mid 30s.

[@lotharvonrichthofen4474]

My Two favorite Gladiators: RNoAF Swedish AF

[@KevTheImpaler]

The Gloster Gladiator had no right to be as useful as it was.

[@stephenconnolly3018]

Great but it could have been a longer video.

[@arturasandriusaitis8832]

This amazing aircraft was in the Lithuanian Air Force 1938-1940 (14 Mk. I): kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJyYmIqOg5aAmK8