Gauntlet

The Gloster Gauntlet was a single‑seat biplane fighter that entered service with the Royal Air Force in the mid‑1930s. Developed by the Gloster Aircraft Company as the last fabric‑covered fighter built for the RAF, the Gauntlet first flew on 13 March 1935 and was introduced to front‑line squadrons the following year, replacing the aging Hawker Fury. Powered by a Rolls‑Royce Kestrel IX liquid‑cooled V‑12 engine delivering 640 hp, the aircraft could reach 230 mph (370 km/h) at altitude and carried a typical armament of four .303‑inch (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns. Its distinctive feature was a strong, all‑metal fuselage combined with wooden wings covered in fabric, giving it a sturdy yet lightweight construction. The Gauntlet also introduced a sliding cockpit canopy and improved flight controls that enhanced pilot visibility during combat.

Although quickly superseded by monoplane designs such as the Supermarine Spitfire, the Gauntlet played a crucial transitional role. It provided the RAF with a reliable high‑performance platform during the re‑armament period, honed tactics for high‑speed interception, and served as a training bridge for many pilots who later flew in World II. Its legacy lies in bridging the biplane era to the modern fighter age.

Gloster Aircraft Company

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Design & Classification