Having had the pleasure of seeing both the Shuttleworth Collection’s Gladiator as well as the one from TFC many times in the past few years, I’ve become ever more interested in this aircraft. I read the FlyPast feature from several years ago (2012 I think), and I’ve ordered the two Osprey books on the subject. Anyone have other suggestions?
Additionally, I’m curious to know what change in performance the Mk.II had from the Mk.I specifically as it pertained to the three bladed propeller. Any thoughts there?
By: PhantomII - 9th October 2017 at 21:39
Anyone seen any photos or drawings of the upper guns? I’ve not seen much on them.
If the two-blade prop gave better takeoff performance, was the advantage with the three blade in terms of maximum speed? Rate of climb?
By: Graham Boak - 6th October 2017 at 16:44
The guns on the upper wing were a standard option, at least for the Sea Gladiator. I’ve only seen mention (no photo) of one aircraft actually so modified, on Malta, and that was destroyed after a very short time. I imagine that the extra weight would have been a considerable disincentive.
Sea Gladiators in the Med did have the option of two or three-blade fixed pitch props – I gather this was a matter of preference because one (the two-blade?) gave a shorter take-off distance.
Fitting of the Blenheim variable-pitch props is again associated with Malta, and in this case can be seen in photos. That they also had the Blenheim engine is a fair assumption, but I’m not sure it has been confirmed.
By: PhantomII - 6th October 2017 at 15:07
Thanks for the reply!
Didn’t know that about the ones in the ME. I’d be curious to know how they flew relative to their “stock” counterparts. Even the Mk.II with three bladed prop didn’t have a variable pitch prop did it?
Also, I read somewhere that a few might have been modified with a another pair of guns on the upper wing. Anyone ever seen any evidence of that?
By: Ant.H - 6th October 2017 at 08:38
You could try “From Bleriot to Spitfire” by David Ogilvy, a compilation of articles written by Shuttleworth pilots on each of the Collection’s aircraft (the Glad segment is written by former Gloster test pilot R.F. Martin). Hasn’t been printed for years but lots of second hand copies floating about on the internet.
As for the two blade prop, the biggest drawback was a severe prop and reduction gear vibration above a certain speed that meant a strict limit on the Vne. The three blade prop and modified gearing of the Mercury VIIIa allowed for a higher speed, although I don’t know whether it improved the climb rate or Vmax, etc.
Edited to add: On the subject of three blade props, a number of Glads in the Middle East were fitted with the Blenheim-type Mercury, complete with variable pitch prop. I wonder if any performance figures survive for these?
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October 6, 2017 at 12:06 am