Re: Gloster G.5 with Luftwaffe
 

NB. On 13 June 1942 a Ofw. Karl Fecher made a crashlanding (80%) after engine failure with "Gloster 9" number 45710 of Fl.Sch.d.Lw. (S) 1 near Zellhausen, having taken off from Langendiebach. (Source: RL 2 III/773, 17 via Michael Balss)

This and the "G.5" above are the only recorded Gladiator losses I'm aware of.

Re: Gloster G.5 with Luftwaffe
 

Just noticed this thread and discussion regarding the G-5 designation.


The Gloster Aircraft B class test registrations were G-7 while DeHavilland used G-5 so not related to test regos.


However, for what it is worth, and to muddy the waters further, there are two photographs of a Gladiator marked G5 on page 54 of the old (1964) monograph on the Gladiator by Francis Mason. -This aircraft carried Portuguese insignia and was said to be under test at Martlesham prior to delivery.


The 1971 Putnam volume on Gloster Aircraft has a photo of G5 on page 224 and says on page 223 "G5 was test flown at A and AEE Martlesham in July 1939." Apparently this was the first of a proposed follow-on order for 30 Mk II's which probably were never delivered.



If this is correct, then this aircraft was probably delivered to someone else - If not RAF then to any of the Air Forces which operated Mk II's. Take your pick!!



Hope all have a happy festive season,

Maurice Perry

Re: Gloster G.5 with Luftwaffe
 

Just noticed this thread and discussion regarding the G-5 designation.


The Gloster Aircraft B class test registrations were G-7 while DeHavilland used G-5 so not related to test regos.


However, for what it is worth, and to muddy the waters further, there are two photographs of a Gladiator marked G5 on page 54 of the old (1964) monograph on the Gladiator by Francis Mason. -This aircraft carried Portuguese insignia and was said to be under test at Martlesham prior to delivery.


The 1971 Putnam volume on Gloster Aircraft has a photo of G5 on page 224 and says on page 223 "G5 was test flown at A and AEE Martlesham in July 1939." Apparently this was the first of a proposed follow-on order for 30 Mk II's which probably were never delivered.



If this is correct, then this aircraft was probably delivered to someone else - If not RAF then to any of the Air Forces which operated Mk II's. Take your pick!!



Hope all have a happy festive season,

Maurice Perry

Re: Gloster G.5 with Luftwaffe
 

Maurice
The G-5 and G-7 class B condition markings you mention above were both issued post war (1 Jan 1948) when all such registrations had to begin with a G regardless of company. Each company was then assigned a digit (from -1 and up) where de Havilland received 5 and Gloster -7.

Pre-war the British industry was assigned a letter prefix, sometimes corresponding to the companies initials, such as Gloster getting G and Fairey getting F.

There is as far as I know only one verified such marking used by Gloster, and that is G37 used by the Gladiator prototype.
I am aware that Gloster seems to have assigned G5-1 to G5-15 to their Belgian order, but I have yet to see that info verified.

The photo of aircraft G5 on page 224 in the Putnam book is a Portuguese s/n and not a B-condition marking!

Cheers
Stig

Re: Gloster G.5 with Luftwaffe
 

Attached a pair of Belgian Gladiators with their original markings; G5-6 and G5-13 respectively.http://digitalaviationart.com/forums...Gladiators.jpg

Re: Gloster G.5 with Luftwaffe
 

Thanks

Very good of you. It seems to me that Gloster must have mis-understood the Belgian marking instructions.

Don't believe this is any B condition markings.
If they really are, then Gloster must have been totally incapable of understanding their own Govt rules.... :)

Cheers
Stig