Gloster Grebe Scale Models

The Gloster Grebe was developed from the Gloster Grouse (an experimental aircraft later developed as a trainer), and was the Royal Air Force’s first post-First World War fighter aircraft, entering service in 1923.

Grebes entered service with the RAF during October 1923 when a flight of 111 Squadron re-equipped with the new fighter. A total of 133 Grebes were produced, including four prototypes. Grebes were retired from the RAF in 1929, replaced in part by the Gloster Gamecock, which was a developed Grebe.

Specifications (Grebe Mk.II)

General Characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 20 ft 3 in (6.17 m)
Wingspan: 29 ft 4 in (8.94 m)
Height: 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
Wing area: 254 sq ft (23.6 m2)
Empty weight: 1,720 lb (780 kg)
Gross weight: 2,614 lb (1,186 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar IV 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 400 hp (300 kW)
Propellers: 2-bladed wooden fixed-pitch propeller

Performance

Maximum speed: 152 mph (245 km/h, 132 kn) at sea level
145 mph (126 kn; 233 km/h) at 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
Endurance: 2 hours 45 minutes
Service ceiling: 23,000 ft (7,000 m)
Time to altitude: 20,000 ft (6,100 m) in 23 minutes
Wing loading: 10.3 lb/sq ft (50 kg/m2)
Power/mass: 0.15 hp/lb (0.25 kW/kg)