Gloster Grebe Mk.II

Gloster Grebe



In 1923 Gloster, under the direction of chief designer H.P. Folland, created two prototypes of the modern Grouse trainer. In fact, the factory mainly wanted to arouse the attention of the ministry for new aircraft since there had been no introduction of new fighter aircraft into the arsenal since the end of World War I. In stark contrast to this was the development in the field of aircraft technology especially the quality of the engines. The Air Ministry was surprised by the standard of the prototypes demonstrated and ordered their redesign into a first-rate fighter with the Siddeley Jaguar III engine and ordered three prototypes (Grebe I). After their completion, satisfaction reigned and so a new Grebe fighter was ordered but already with the Siddeley Jaguar IV engine (Grebe II). The Grebe was a single-seat biplane of wooden construction and, with the 400 horsepower Jaguar IV engine, reached a top speed of 261 km/h (261 mph) on the test track. A specially modified and lightened Grebe later achieved a British speed record of 342 km/h. The production variants were slightly slower (245 km/h), but their excellent agility made them more or less popular with pilots. The only problem that became apparent with the first production machines was the wing spars shaking on take-off, so the machines were returned to the factory where the struts were modified. The first unit to receive these aircraft was 111 in October 1923. RAF Squadron. A total of 133 units of all versions were produced, including two-seat trainers. The aircraft were phased out during 1928-1929. Sir Henry Wigram donated one scrapped unit to the fledgling New Zealand Air Force in 1928. The NZ government later purchased two more units and these operated primarily until 1938. The two surviving pieces were used for pilot training until 1943. The Gloster Gameckock was based directly on the Grebe type and was its contemporary in first-service. After the Grebe aircraft were retired, they were replaced in first-line service by the Armstrong Whitworth Siskin.


Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloster_Grebe
www.aviastar.org

Zdroj:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloster_Grebe
www.aviastar.org

Trojpohľadový schematický náčrt


Zdroj:
www.aviastar.org

Introduced into service in 1923, a total of 133 machines were produced, including two two-seat trainers and four Mk IIIs (all others were Mk IIs). They were retired from RAF service in 1929, when they were replaced by their direct successor, the Gloster Gamecock. The three Grebe were to serve in New Zealand until the mid-1930s.