Gloster Mars I Aircraft

Production Details

Design Company:

Gloucestershire Aircraft Company, Cheltenham

First Flight:

20 June 1921

Mars I:

1 - Gloucestershire Aircraft Company

Type Specification

Applies to:

Gloster Mars I

Type:

Racing aircraft designed by Harry Folland to promote new Gloucestershire Aircraft Company using sections of Nieuport Nighthawk

Wing:

Single bay, staggered, unswept, equal span biplane with single I interplane struts. Lower wing has square cut tip while upper wing is rounded. Wooden structure covered in fabric. Ailerons on lower wing only

Fuselage:

Fuselage mounted on lower wing, is constructed of wood with fabric covering

Tail Unit:

Braced monoplane tail with split elevators together with single swept fin and balanced rudder

Landing Gear:

Crossaxle type main gear with legs attached to fuselage lower longeron

Power Plant:

One 450 hp Napier Lion twelve cylinder broad arrow engine in nose

Accommodation:

Single seat for pilot in open cockpit aft of wing

Span:

22 ft

Length:

23 ft

Height:

9 ft 4 in

Wing Area:

205 sq ft

Empty:

1,890 lb

Loaded:

2,500 lb

Max Speed:

202 mph at sea level

Climb:

4.25 min to 10,000 ft

Preserved in British Museums

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