Fiat CR.42 vs Gloster Gladiator

[Colin1]

Fiat CR.42 :Name: Gloster Gladiator

27.13ft (8.27m) :Length: 27.43ft (8.36m)
31.82ft (9.7m) :Width: 32.25ft (9.83m)
11.78ft (3.59m) :Height: 10.33ft (3.15m)
1 :Crew: 1

267mph (430km/h) :Maximum speed: 257mph (407km/h)
482 miles (775Kms) :Maximum range: 428 miles (689Kms)
2,340ft/min (713m/min) :Rate of climb: 2,220ft (677m/min)
33,465ft (10,200m) :Service ceiling: 33,500ft (10,211m)

3,929lbs (1,782Kgs) :Empty weight: 3,450lbs (1,565Kgs)
5,066lbs (2,298Kgs) :Max take-off weight: 4,864lbs (2,206Kgs)



1 x Fiat A.74 R1C 14-cyl radial @ 840hp :Powerplant: 1 x Bristol Mercury IX 9-cyl radial @ 840hp

2 x 12.7mm Breda-SAFAT mg with underwing 2 x 12.7mm mg or 440lbs bombs :Armament: 2 x 7.7mm Browning mg prop-sync'd with underwing 2 x 7.7mm mg

21lb/sq ft (102Kg/sq m) :Wing loading: 15lb/sq ft (73Kg/sq m)
0.17hp/lb (0.270kW/kg) :Power to weight: 0.63hp/lb (1.04kW/kg)

[B-17engineer]

Well, I will say the Fiat for a number of reasons:

Armament: X 4 12.7 mm vs the Gladiators 4 7.7mm machine guns

Top speed: The Cr.42 was significantly faster and the Gladiator and would outmaneuver the Gladiator in the vertical. But in a prolonged turning fight the Gladiator may out turn the Cr. 42

The Cr.42 seems to have a pretty good combat record against monoplanes fighters. The Gladiator didn't.

Reading a book it said the Cr.42 was made of less flamable materials which is better for obvious reasons.

Just a few thoughts........based on a quick bit of reading, the info provided and reading on wiki....

[Clay_Allison]

I like the CR.42 for the same reason as above, with the addition of the seemingly cleaner lines.

[Colin1]

Before I vote
how does the CR.42 weighing in heavier than the Gladiator, climb faster with the same rated horsepower?

[B-17engineer]

Another interesting thread would be the Pzl. 24 vs the I-15 vs the Cr. 42

[vikingBerserker]

I was trying to figure that out as well Colin, plus the Gladiator has an enclosed cockpit.

[Vincenzo]

power to weight of Gladiator is wrong please recalculete it,
C.R. 42 max speed it's 274 mph (with engine a 2520rpm, the 840 hp output it's a 2400 rpm), common weaponry it's 2 -12.7 the underwing guns was "optional" for fighter bomber version (guns or bombs).
i've read, now i don't remember where, that C.R. 42 outturned Gladiator ( i know that w.l. it's highest but i so reading and i believe was in english)

[parsifal]

what are the combat records of Gladiator versus CR42.

[Vincenzo]

here Hkans Aviation page - Gloster Gladiator in Commonwealth squadron service you can see from british point of view.
for Malta there are data for both side, Hkans Aviation page - Gloster Gladiators and Fiat CR.42s over Malta 1940-42, there are 1 C.R. 42 shoot down from Gladiators and 1 Gladiator shoot down from C.R. 42s.
Maybe interesting find some belgian report they have both in service

[Lucky13]

Love both machines!

[snafud1]

I like the CR42. Cleaner lines and was very maneuverable for it's weight. Not saying I don't like the Gladiater though.

[vikingBerserker]

When I first read this poll I figured I would have gone with the Gladiator. But after reading about both I have to go with the Fiat.

Interestingly to me, apparently they put a 1,010hp DB 601A engine in one at the speed jumped up to 323mph, but no production.

[GrauGeist]

Dunno about that DB601...just imagine if they crammed a BMW 801 in the front of that Fiat!

That rascal would come out the gate smokin'!

[Juha]

Hello
RN personel at Yeovilton made during WWII some unofficial dogfight testing CR 42 vs Gladiator. Oppinion of onlookers was that CR 42 won.

Juha

[Lucky13]

Dunno about that DB601...just imagine if they crammed a BMW 801 in the front of that Fiat!

That rascal would come out the gate smokin'!

A CR.42 on Steroids you mean?