Fiat CR.42 vs Gloster Gladiator - Aircraft of World War II

Colin1 · 09-04-2009, 02:45 PM

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 · 09-04-2009, 03:26 PM

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 · 09-04-2009, 05:40 PM

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

Colin1 · 09-04-2009, 05:44 PM

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

B-17engineer · 09-04-2009, 06:25 PM

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

vikingBerserker · 09-04-2009, 08:17 PM

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

Vincenzo · 09-04-2009, 08:31 PM

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 · 09-05-2009, 12:26 AM

what are the combat records of Gladiator versus CR42.

Vincenzo · 09-05-2009, 06:41 AM

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 · 09-06-2009, 03:10 PM

Love both machines!

snafud1 · 09-06-2009, 05:16 PM

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

vikingBerserker · 09-06-2009, 11:42 PM

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 · 09-07-2009, 04:46 AM

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 · 09-07-2009, 07:58 AM

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 · 09-07-2009, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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'!

A CR.42 on Steroids you mean?

09-04-2009, 03:26 PM	#2
B-17engineer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,668	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.... __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe36UMRkRbk

09-04-2009, 05:40 PM	#3
Clay_Allison Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 923	I like the CR.42 for the same reason as above, with the addition of the seemingly cleaner lines. __________________ It's always easy to find reasons why something shouldn't be done, the trick is to find ways to get it done. -- claidemore

09-04-2009, 06:25 PM	#5
B-17engineer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,668	Another interesting thread would be the Pzl. 24 vs the I-15 vs the Cr. 42 __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe36UMRkRbk

09-04-2009, 08:17 PM	#6
vikingBerserker Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,722	I was trying to figure that out as well Colin, plus the Gladiator has an enclosed cockpit. __________________ "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it" "Those who dwell in the past, condemn the future"

09-04-2009, 08:31 PM	#7
Vincenzo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lazio Posts: 804	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) Last edited by Vincenzo; 09-05-2009 at 06:35 AM.

View Poll Results: Mediterranean biplane top-gun
Fiat CR.42	34	53.97%
Gloster Gladiator	29	46.03%
Voters: 63. You may not vote on this poll

09-04-2009, 05:44 PM	#4
Colin1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,759	Before I vote how does the CR.42 weighing in heavier than the Gladiator, climb faster with the same rated horsepower?

09-05-2009, 12:26 AM	#8
parsifal Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,988	what are the combat records of Gladiator versus CR42. __________________ Do not judge on abilities, but on choices

09-05-2009, 06:41 AM	#9
Vincenzo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lazio Posts: 804	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

09-06-2009, 03:10 PM	#10
Lucky13 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: A Swede living in Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 15,121	Love both machines! __________________ JAN "Felicis Tredecim" "I´m going back to the front to relax" "THE BLACK CATS FLIES TONIGHT" "Find your enemy and shoot him down - everything else is unimportant!" "When you're out of F-8's... You're out of fighters!"

09-06-2009, 05:16 PM	#11
snafud1 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mattoon, IL Posts: 443	I like the CR42. Cleaner lines and was very maneuverable for it's weight. Not saying I don't like the Gladiater though. __________________

09-06-2009, 11:42 PM	#12
vikingBerserker Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,722	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. __________________ "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it" "Those who dwell in the past, condemn the future" Last edited by vikingBerserker; 09-07-2009 at 10:59 PM. Reason: )(#$)@#%_(@#&$( typo!*

09-07-2009, 04:46 AM	#13
GrauGeist Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Redding, California Posts: 3,345	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'! __________________ "Look back over the past, with its changing empires that rose and fell, and you can foresee the future." - Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome > I Support Doug Gillis <

09-07-2009, 07:58 AM	#14
Juha Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Helsinki Posts: 1,356	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

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