Gloster Gladiator
The Gloster Gladiator was the Royal Air Force’s final biplane fighter, bridging the gap between classic interwar designs and the modern monoplane era. Introduced in 1937 and developed from the Gloster Gauntlet, the Gladiator featured an enclosed cockpit, improved armament, and a more powerful Bristol Mercury engine.
Despite being rendered obsolete by aircraft like the Hurricane and Spitfire, the Gladiator played a vital role in early World War II campaigns. It saw action in Norway, Greece, North Africa, and the defense of Malta—where a handful of Sea Gladiators famously became known as “Faith, Hope, and Charity.”
This category showcases archival photographs and enthusiast-grade imagery of the Gladiator in RAF, Fleet Air Arm, and export liveries, highlighting its unique place in aviation history as the RAF’s last biplane to serve in combat.
