Gloster Gauntlet …flying !

Out of interest, doesn’t Retrotrac and Air have some Gauntlet parts that they are currently offering as a project “mainly a rough set of wings” ?, I know they have a Gladiator and a Gamecock project on the go – “awaiting buyers”, but I also believe they now have a Gauntlet project available “parts came from Finland”.

Bob T.

I remember seeing photographs of this aircraft years ago but, didn’t know enough about the Gauntlet to realize that it was not an original engine. It’s good to see that it is still being looked after well.

Steve

The paint seems to be peeling of from metal surfaces. I know the pilot pretty well he was with me and my dad in Farnborough air show in 1976. We stayed in the same hotel.

Another neat video of the Gauntlet; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL5ehy_Df_M

Engine is from Percival Pembroke and wheels from a Polikarpov I-153.

https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloster_Gauntlet

I remember seeing photographs of this aircraft years ago but, didn’t know enough about the Gauntlet to realize that it was not an original engine. It’s good to see that it is still being looked after well.

Steve

When the GAR article was posted was the first I knew about this machine. I thought the type was extinct! An amazing achievement.

There was an article in Air International (or it might have been Air Enthusiast) about the restoration of the Gauntlet at least 30, maybe 35, years ago – that is how long it has been flying.

Interesting article earlier on in the thread about the Leonides being flown in a Bulldog – I always assumed it was a post war engine

When the GAR article was posted was the first I knew about this machine. I thought the type was extinct! An amazing achievement.

Well my stock Stearman has a modern MT prop and no one has complained yet. Early days I suppose, and yes I realize it’s not a Hurricane or Spit or a Gauntlet for that matter :).

Steve

Its your plane, your paying, you do what you thinks best for her!

I agree the sounds of the aeroplane are audible here clearly.

I always want to inform about the blue white swastika as it was adopted to FAF long before nazis even invented their symbol.

Thulin D was donated to FAF by this man count Eric von Rosen in 1918.

To be found here; http://web.comhem.se/patriksgenealogi/rosen_en.htm

The man ( Eric von Rosen ) had later in his life ( unfortunately ) ties with nazies.

Finnish “whites” inspecting the aircraft. Unlike in Russia in 1917 in Finland the “whites” won the civil war and the “reds” lost.

Better footage; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aShXwfvTUE0

Now that’s what a flying display should be! No announcer talking, no music, and no jets!

Airshow organizers, take note.

For those that didn’t notice.

There is a link to an article in post 2, which states they were donated from the SAAF and were ex RAF before that.

I have met the pilot at Tampere airshow in 1998, and worked with him when he supplied photos at two of the publishing companies that I worked for.

🙂

That means that the aircraft may have logged another 200 hours if not 500 before coming to Finland ?

For those that didn’t notice.

There is a link to an article in post 2, which states they were donated from the SAAF and were ex RAF before that.

I have met the pilot at Tampere airshow in 1998, and worked with him when he supplied photos at two of the publishing companies that I worked for.

🙂

IIRC there was an article in Aeroplane many years ago about the restoration of this aircraft and that the wrecks of two were found at a farm?
Finland is not a densly populated country, he who seeks shall find.
Cees

My godfather farm has a pair of Messerschmitt wheels with tyres. Maybe a big add in the news could encourage someone to come out with an another unidentified wreck, buy I doubt it. There is one Airacobra restored as well…it does not fly.

Not really wrecks of two. One fuselage + tail section and seven wings, only pieces of engine. Of these it was just possible to restore one complete airplane, not much left over. I agree that it would have been nice to have a Bristol Mercury on the nose, but the Leonides was available and free…

Ok Roger that !

I bet Shuttleworth wizards could make one out just from stench of one original….having plenty of Mercurys availbale it would look better than new one.

Well my stock Stearman has a modern MT prop and no one has complained yet. Early days I suppose, and yes I realize it’s not a Hurricane or Spit or a Gauntlet for that matter :).

Steve

Wrong engine – but at least she flies! Its like the idiots who objected to LF363 having a 4 bladed prop for a few years until one became available – I bet the BBMF engineers soon told them where to go.

Not really wrecks of two. One fuselage + tail section and seven wings, only pieces of engine. Of these it was just possible to restore one complete airplane, not much left over. I agree that it would have been nice to have a Bristol Mercury on the nose, but the Leonides was available and free…

IIRC there was an article in Aeroplane many years ago about the restoration of this aircraft and that the wrecks of two were found at a farm?
Finland is not a densly populated country, he who seeks shall find.
Cees

It is all credit to its owner/operator that this Gauntlet has been flown for all these years. Its the only Gauntlet left I believe, and a wonderful sight for the Finnish people to see part of its history still flying.

Indeed…practically all fighters were destroyed and sold as metal etc after the lost war. Think about it..Gladiators, Hurricanes, Bulldogs, Gamecocks, Blenheims, Messerschmitts, Curtiss Hawks, I-153s, I-16, Fokkers, Brewsters, Fiats G-50s, Ju-88s, Dornier-17s and now…almost nothing left flying than this.

Dear topspeed, if you do not know who owns the aeroplane, please find out yourself. I am closely enough connected to know that it will not be for sale.

Yes these GENTLEMEN will not sell it; http://www.museo24.fi/?action=INavigation::viewArticle%286880%29

Incredible story…two Gauntlets ( initially misidentified as Gladiators ) were found as wrecks in a barn ( wonder if there are enough spares for another ? ).

It has an Me-109 tailwheel assembly on it. 500+ flying hours logged ( 134 at wartime ).

Perish the thought that a country other than the UK should have any exotic historic aircraft!

Steve

It is all credit to its owner/operator that this Gauntlet has been flown for all these years. Its the only Gauntlet left I believe, and a wonderful sight for the Finnish people to see part of its history still flying.

Perish the thought that a country other than the UK should have any exotic historic aircraft!

Steve

No chance! Some will never accept this. If an aircraft is treated and preserved well and flown with pleasure by his owner(s)- it is exactly at the right place and should stay there.