670

FLIGHT.

JUNE 25,

1936.

Three hundred plus : The Hawker F36/34 fighter, with its Rolls-Royce Merlin, does over 300 m.p.h.just how much may not be said. It has been adopted for service. ing a low attack on marauding " natives." , The Gloster Gauntlet is equipping a number of squadrons and will be seen at Hendon in the capable hands of the pilots of No. 19 (F) Squadron, from Duxford. When the Gauntlet first appeared (it was known as the Gloster S.S.19B and was, descended directly from an interceptor fighter called the Gloster S.S.18) its performance, for a machine in its category, was quite astounding, particularly so because although the whole machine was a delight to the eye and had a beautifully streamlined fuselage, its wings were of the two-bay type which are generally regarded as being incompatible with high performance because of the resistance offered by the two sets of bracing struts with their attendant wires. This arrangement, of course, makes for exceptional strength. Its engine was also notable. Of the Bristol Mercury pattern, and designated the type VIS, it was built expressly for installation in high-speed fighters. Although somewhat similar to the Pegasus type found in so many of the R.A.F.'s machines, this model was of smaller diameter (offering less resistance) and gave a maximum output of 645 h.p. at 15,500ft. At that height the Gauntlet was capable of about 230 m.p.h. The service ceiling was greater than that of any Service aircraft in existence at that time, the figure being 35,500ft. In the Gauntlet we have, without doubt, the finest machine of its class in service anywhere.

continually improved and in the form in which it will be seen at Hendon is designated the Bulldog Ila. An even more highly developed model was entered for the last dayand-night fighter competition. The alterations made to the Bulldog during the past few years have not resulted in an increased performance. In actual fact, the machine is probably slower than when it first entered service. But all the modifications have increased its all-round efficiency. Brakes are fitted to the wheels, being operated by pedals on the rudder bar and permitting easier manoeuvring on the ground. The tail skid has been replaced by a wheel. From the pilot's point of view perhaps the most notable advance is the system of cockpit heating which has been incorporated. This collects air in a heater muff on each exhaust pipe and feeds it into the cockpit through the bottom of the fuselage. The amount of warm air thus fed is controlled by a valve. The muffs are lagged to retain as much heat as possible for high-altitude work and a fabric bulkhead fitted across the fuselage behind the pilot prevents the warmed air escaping along the tail. The standard engine of the Service Bulldog is the Bristol Jupiter V I I F , giving 490 h.p. at 8,000ft. I t is a supercharged, un-geared nine-cylinder radial and, like the machine in which it is installed, is obsolescent. This engine gives the Bulldog a maximum speed in the neighbourhood of 170 m.p.h. and when operated at full throttle at 15,000ft. permits a range of about 350 miles. At the display the Bulldog will be seen in the headquarters race; attacking the sleeve target in the gunnery training event; making patterns with smoke; and deliver-

Better

Still

But even.the Gauntlet is overshadowed by the latest day-and-night fighter ordered for R.A.F. squadrons. The machine concernedthe Gladiatoris virtually a development of the Gauntlet and represents the highest pitch to which the single-seater day-and-night fighter as we knowit in this country has been developed. The majority of military equipment and the outstanding features of its design are readily apparent? in the accompanying specially prepared drawing. See how, in comparison with the Gauntlet, one set of struts has been eliminated (it is claimed that in the matter of rigidity the Gladiator's wings are equal to those of the Gauntlet) and how the familiar cross-axle undercarriage has given way to a cantilever type with Dowty internally sprung wheels. Beneath the engine cowling (of longer chord and greater efficiency than the Gauntlet's) is a 4^ Mercury I X which will deliver 840 h.p. at 14,000ft.a great improvement even over the VIS in the Gauntlet. From the exterior another striking feature is the enclosed cockpit for the pilot. A fitment of this nature is likely to become standard equipment on all subsequent fighters. In conjunction with special cockpit heatinsystems it enables the pilot to fig!11 and patrol at great altitudes almost in armchair comfort. Old faithful : The Bristol Bulldog Ha day-and-night fighter with 490 h.p. Jupiter VIIF engine is scheduled for replacement