The Gloster Gladiator was, famously, the last biplane fighter to see service with the RAF. Despite its near immediate obsolescence, it would see widespread RAF service with frontline squadrons and would make a name for itself in combat in WWII, not only with British pilots, but others too To understand the development of an aircraft, its often a good idea to look at its predecessor. The aircraft that lead to the development of the Gladiator was the Gloster Gauntlet. Designed by Henry Folland, the Gauntlet first flew in 1929. Development was relatively slow, and it was not until it was fitted with a Bristol Mercury VI engine in 1933 that it was deemed acceptable by the Air Ministry and accepted into RAF service. It would eventually equip 14 squadrons. 246 Gauntlets were produced, and they were operated by the UK, Denmark, Australia, Finland, Rhodesia and South Africa.
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