Gloster VI

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title: "Gloster VI" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1920s-british-sport-aircraft", "schneider-trophy", "floatplanes", "gloster-aircraft", "single-engined-tractor-aircraft", "low-wing-aircraft", "aircraft-first-flown-in-1929"] topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloster_VI" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox aircraft"]

Field	Value
name	Gloster VI
image	File:Gloster VI L'Aéronautique October,1929.jpg
aircraft_type	Racing seaplane
manufacturer	Gloster
primary_user	Royal Air Force, High Speed Flight
number_built	2
introduction	1929
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| name = Gloster VI | logo = | logo_size = | image = File:Gloster VI L'Aéronautique October,1929.jpg | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Racing seaplane | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = | manufacturer = Gloster | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = | owners = | primary_user = Royal Air Force, High Speed Flight | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 2 | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = 1929 | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded =

The Gloster VI was a racing seaplane developed as a contestant for the 1929 Schneider Trophy by the Gloster Aircraft Company.

The aircraft was known as the Golden Arrow, partly in reference to its colour, the distinctive three-lobed cowling of the 'broad-arrow' Napier Lion engine, but also to another contemporary Lion-powered record-breaker, Henry Segrave's Golden Arrow land speed record car.

Design and development

The Gloster VI was Gloster's final evolution of a series of racing floatplanes, designed specifically for the Schneider Trophy. It progressed from the Gloster II, through the successful Gloster III (placed 2nd in 1925), and Gloster IV biplanes. While Henry Folland, Gloster's chief designer commenced work on a further revised biplane, the Gloster V, to enter the 1929 competition, centre of gravity problems led to the design being discarded and this meant a monoplane configuration was chosen for the new design.

The Gloster VI was a low-winged braced monoplane. An obvious feature in photographs is the way that the wing roots tapered so as to reduce in thickness, designed to increase lateral control at low speeds. It retained the Napier Lion engine that had powered the previous Gloster racers, but with power boosted to 1,320 hp (985 kW) by supercharging. Engine cooling was via thin surface radiators on each wing.

Operational history

Two aircraft, with serial numbers N249 & N250 were built, the first flying on 25 August 1929 and the second on 31 August. The aircraft showed promise and high speed but had problems with fuel supply when banking, which led to engine cut-outs. For such a risky business as low-altitude air-racing, this was an unacceptable risk and the aircraft were withdrawn from competition in the 1929 Schneider Trophy, leaving the way clear for the Supermarine S.6 to win. An alternative theory for the withdrawal is rumoured to have been an accident to the lorry delivering the engines from Napier and insufficient time to repair the damage until the day after.{{cite book |title=The Napier Way |author=Bryan 'Bob' Boyle |publisher=Bookmarque Publishing |date=2000|page=31 |isbn=1-870519-57-4

On 10 September 1929, the day after the Supermarine S.6 had won the Trophy, N249 returned to flight. Flight Lieutenant George Stainforth flew it over a measured mile course for a top speed of 351.3 mph and a ratified world absolute speed record, averaged over four runs of 336.3 mph. This record was held only briefly, as a later run by Squadron Leader Augustus Orlebar in the S.6 managed to raise it over 350 mph. During the final Schneider Trophy in 1931, the Gloster VI was still in service with the High Speed Flight as a trainer.

Operators

;

• Royal Air Force, High Speed Flight

Specifications

|ref= |prime units?=imp General characteristics

|crew=1 |length ft=27 |length in=0 |length note=overall |span ft=26 |span in=0 |span note= |height ft=10 |height in=9.5 |height note= |wing area sqft=106 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight lb=2284 |empty weight note= |gross weight lb=3680 |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight lb= |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity= |more general= Powerplant

|eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Napier Lion VIID |eng1 type=W-12 water-cooled supercharged piston engine |eng1 hp=1320 |eng1 note=

|prop blade number=2 |prop name=Gloster fixed-pitch propeller |prop dia ft= |prop dia in= |prop dia note= Performance

|max speed mph=351.3 |max speed note=the fastest speed run recorded on the world record course ::::336.3 mph World speed record over four runs on a measured mile course |cruise speed mph= |cruise speed note= |stall speed mph=92 |stall speed note= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed note= |range miles= |range note= |ferry range miles= |ferry range note= |endurance= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |climb rate ftmin= |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |lift to drag= |wing loading lb/sqft=34.7 |wing loading note= |fuel consumption lb/mi= |power/mass=0.36 hp/lb |more performance=

• Take-off run: ft 0
• Take-off distance to 50 ft: ft 0
• Landing run: ft 0
• Landing distance from 50 ft: ft 0--

References

References

1. James 1971, pp. 30–31.
2. Alan Vessey. (1997). "Napier Powered". Tempus (Images of England series).
3. Mondey 1981, pp.46–48.
4. James 1981, p.187.
5. (7 April 2003). "The Schneider Trophy - 70th Anniversary: The 1929 Race". [[Royal Air Force]].
6. (7 April 2003). "The Schneider Trophy - 70th Anniversary:1931 - Squadron Leader Orlebar's Report". Royal Air Force.
7. James 1971, p.188
8. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage".

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