Bobertman 15,019 Report post Posted March 29, 2017 (edited) The Gloster F.5/34 was a prototype aircraft developed in the late 1930s to meet the need for a rugged single seat fighter aircraft that could meet the needs of the British Empire in the hotter climates of the far east. Gloster's answer was the F.5/34. The aircraft was powered by the 840hp Mercury IX radial engine, the same engine used on the earlier Gloster Gladiator. The F.5 was armed similarly to other RAF fighters of the time, featuring a battery of eight .303 browning machine guns in the wings. Like most other modern fighters it featured a retractable undercarriage, and the canopy had very good visibility compared to the Hurricane and Spitfire. The F.5 had issues during development due to Gloster's previous commitments with Gladiator production. Its debut was delayed until 1938 for this reason. The prototype fighter was in competition with the Bristol Type 146, Martin Baker M.B.2, and Vickers Venom. Pilots enjoyed the Gloster F.5. praising its short takeoff run, better climb rate, improved visibility, and good high speed aileron control. In the end though none of the designs made it past the prototype stage, since the Spitfire and Hurricane were both already in production and overall better machines than all of the competing aircraft. The Gloster fighter may be a footnote in history, but it doesn't have to be that way ingame. The Gloster F.5/34 would make an effective low tier British tier 1 fighter aircraft. The maneuverability combined with the effective armament of 8 .303 machine guns and respectable speed would make it an opponent to be feared. If added it would fit well between the Gloster Gladiator and the Hurricane Mk I in the tech tree. Being a prototype it could just as easily fit as a low tier premium aircraft if that's the route they would want to take. Images below The aircraft is often compared to the A6M or MC 200 and I can certainly see the similarities. Would you support this fighter being added ingame? Performance Crew: 1 Length: 32 ft (9.76 m) Wingspan: 38 ft 2 in (11.63 m) Height: 10 ft 2 in (3.09 m) Wing area: 230 ft² (21.4 m²) Empty weight: 4,190 lb (1,900 kg) Loaded weight: 5,400 lb (2,449 kg) Powerplant: 1 × Bristol Mercury IX nine-cylinder radial engine, 840 hp (627 kW) Performance Maximum speed: 275 knots (316 mph, 509 km/h at) at 16,000 ft (4,875 m) Service ceiling: 32,500 ft [5] (9,910 m) Wing loading: 23.5 lb/ft² (88.8 kg/m²) Power/mass: 0.156 hp/lb (0.256 kW/kg) Time to 20,000 ft (6,100 m): 11 min Armament Guns: Eight 0.303-in (7.7-mm) Browning machine guns Sources: http://www.aviastar.org/air/england/gloster_f5-34.php Bowyer, Michael J.F. Interceptor Fighters for the Royal Air Force, 1935-45 James, Derek N. Gloster Aircraft since 1917. Edited March 29, 2017 by Bobertman 1 12 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blakeob 8,053 Report post Posted March 29, 2017 Open for discussion. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fufubear 6,700 Report post Posted March 29, 2017 Too fast . Seriously though, I don't see why not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retry 7,326 Report post Posted March 29, 2017 A wing loading comparable to the A6M2? Impressive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoLhades 360 Report post Posted March 30, 2017 Looks good but does it pass the test for me to back such a vehicle? Test One - Is it British? - Yes. It passed. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pvt_Winterffly 38 Report post Posted March 30, 2017 Eight 30 caliber machine guns for a tier I? Kind if a little overpowered, but the Hurricane Mk I is also at tier I so yea. Also do you have any pictures of the cockpit? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z3r0_ 3,734 Report post Posted March 30, 2017 I don't have a problem with this being implemented as a premium, but rank 1 is just too low. Eight .303s is more than enough to shred just about any fighter it would encounter, and its performance is VERY similar to the A6M2 (on top of the coincidentally similar appearance), so it should have no trouble competing at rank 2 with a competent pilot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Battered_Walrus 973 Report post Posted March 31, 2017 so a british zero, with 8 x 7.7mms, heck yes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
[email protected] 880 Report post Posted March 31, 2017 (edited) I support the tea time zeke for the general tree. +1 Edited March 31, 2017 by *seadogpirate Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Milocat 3,356 Report post Posted December 31, 2018 +1 for the British Zero. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
[email protected] 157 Report post Posted April 5, 2020 I don't want it, I need it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SasquatchFox360 931 Report post Posted April 27, 2020 We need this in the game Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Th3hadyn 5,854 Report post Posted May 11, 2020 With the large void currently between tiers 1 and 2 rn, the F.5/34 would be a really nice fit. Especially between the Gladiator and Spitfire Mk.Ia. +1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Laurelix 5,105 Report post Posted May 19, 2020 (edited) Looks to be Tier 2 3.0 worthy Edited May 19, 2020 by Laurelix Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
[email protected] 59 Report post Posted June 10, 2020 Would love to see this. +1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites