Gloster Gladiator in 73 RAF Squadron service

73 Squadron
Debden, June 1937 to November 1937. Digby, November 1937 to July 1938.
Serials Code Arrival Note Departure
K6145   06/05/38 From 56 Sq. 11/06/38 Collided with K7963 while taxiing, Sutton Bridge.
ROS.
04/07/38 To 3 Sq.
K6151   21/04/38 From 3 Sq. On temporary loan from 3 Sq. 11/07/38 Returned to 3 Sq.
K7893   21/04/38 From 3 Sq.   04/07/38 Returned to 3 Sq.
K7952   11/06/37 From Manufacturer.   04/07/38 To 3 Sq.
K7953   08/06/37 From Manufacturer. 03/07/37 Wings folded during aerobatics and abandoned near Debden; P/O J. A. Thomson baled out safely. 04/09/37 SOC (300 hrs).
K7954   15/06/37 From Manufacturer.   04/07/38 To 3 Sq.
K7955   08/06/37 From Manufacturer. 14/10/37 Hit goal posts on take-off, Sutton Bridge.
ROS
04/07/38 To 3 Sq.
K7956   15/06/37 From Manufacturer.   11/07/38 To 3 Sq.
K7957   08/06/37 From Manufacturer.   07/07/38 To 3 Sq.
K7958   15/06/37 From Manufacturer. 21/03/38 Overshot flare path and tipped up at Digby. 18/09/38 To 3 Sq.
K7959   15/06/37 From Manufacturer. 21/03/38 Overshot flare path and sank into ground on attempted overshoot at Digby. Aircraft destroyed by fire; P/O John Francis Pearce KIFA. 07/05/38 SOC (70 hrs).
K7960   15/06/37 From Manufacturer.   04/07/38 To 3 Sq.
K7961   11/06/37 From Manufacturer.   06/05/38 To 56 Sq.
K7962   15/06/37 From Manufacturer.   07/07/38 To 3 Sq.
K7963   15/06/37 From Manufacturer. 11/06/38 Hit by K6145 while taxiing at Sutton Bridge.
ROS.
01/11/38 To 3 Sq.
K7965   17/06/37 From Manufacturer. 05/38 Flown by F/O Newell ‘Fanny’ Orton (17 victories in WWII) during the Empire Air Day Show, at Hendon. 07/07/38 To 3 Sq.
K7984   12/07/37 From Manufacturer.   07/07/38 To 3 Sq.
K7985   12/07/37 From Manufacturer. 05/38 Flown by E. J. ‘Cobber’ Kain (16 victories in WWII) during the Empire Air Day Show, at Hendon. 30/03/38 To 3 Sq.
K7986   12/07/37 From Manufacturer.   28/07/38 To 3 Sq.
K8023   30/08/37 From Manufacturer.   04/07/38 To 3 Sq.
K8024   01/09/37 From Manufacturer.   04/07/38 To 3 Sq.
K8025   01/09/37 From Manufacturer.   13/04/38 To Packing Depot.
05/05/38 To Aircraft Depot Aboukir for 33 Sq.
K8031   10/09/37 From Manufacturer.   12/04/38 To Packing Depot.
05/05/38 To Aircraft Depot Aboukir for 33 Sq.
K8032   10/09/37 From Manufacturer.   04/07/38 To 3 Sq.


Gloster Gladiator Mk.I (K7985) of 73 Squadron operating from Debden, Essex, in September 1937.
© 1999 Rick Kent

Gloster Gladiator in Commonwealth squadron service






Last modified 30 September 2010