Photograph:
Gloster Gauntlet K7843 in operation with No 3 Squadron RAAF in the Middle East (RAAF Museum)
Country of origin:
United Kingdom
Description:
Single-seat biplane fighter
Power Plant:
One 481 kw (645 hp) Bristol Mercury VI-S2 nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine
Specifications:
-
Wingspan: 10.02 m (32 ft 9½ in)
- Length: 7.98 m (26 ft 2 in)
- Height: 3.17 m (10 ft 4 in)
- Wing area: 29.26 m² (315 sq ft)
- Max speed at 4,816 m (15,800 ft): 370 km/h (230 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 701 m/min (2,300 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 10,211 m (33,500 ft)
- Range: 740 km (460 miles)
- Empty weight: 1,259 kg (2,775 lb)
- Loaded weight: 1,801 kg (3,970 lb)
Armament:
Two Vickers 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns fixed firing forward
History:
The Gloster Gauntlet was the last open-cockpit fighter biplane to see service with the Royal Air Force (RAF), first entering service in May 1935. Replacing the Bristol Bulldog, it served with 14 permanent RAF units, five auxiliary units and one unit in Palestine. It was eventually replaced by newer types by 1939.
The prototype (J9125) was first shown to the public in 1933, an initial order being placed for 24 Gauntlet Is, followed by 104 Gauntlet IIs in April 1935, and a further 100 in September that year.
In July 1940 No 3 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was based at Alexandria in North Africa and was initially equipped with Westland Lysanders, Gloster Gauntlets and Gloster Gladiators. The latter two were used in the army-cooperation role alongside the Lysanders with the Australian Army’s 6th Division. The unit arrived at Point Tewfik, Egypt on board the ‘SS Dilwarra’ on 23 August 1940, taking over two Gladiators and four Gauntlets on 3 November, and a flight of Lysanders. On 19 November Gauntlet N5750 was shot down.
The unit took up the offensive against Italian forces, the Gladiators in December being successful against Macchi CR.42s. However, on 12 December the Gauntlets were withdrawn due to difficulties with their servicing. By late January 1941 Tobruk had been taken. No 3 Squadron re-equipped with Gladiators and was based at Gambut. However, by the end of the month it had again been re-equipped, this time with Hawker Hurricanes.
On 13 December four Gladiators were destroyed. On 17 December, after a break, the unit resumed operations with eight Gladiators, but shortly thereafter six were transferred to No 112 Squadron RAF.