Gloster Goldfinch

The second all-metal fighter designed by H P Folland, the Goldfinch was ordered in January 1926 as an all-metal version of the Gamecock, but, as initially completed, the prototype embodied a proportion of wood in its fuselage structure. After initial trials, the prototype was reworked, a lengthened, all-metal fuselage and revised tail unit being applied. In its new form, the prototype Goldfinch was delivered to Martlesham Heath late 1927. Powered by a supercharged 450hp Bristol Jupiter VIIF nine-cylinder radial, and having two 7.7mm Vickers Mk I synchronised machine guns, the Goldfinch offered an extremely good performance, but in competing for a production contract to Specification F.9/26 it was bested by the Bristol Bulldog.

3-View

A three-view drawing (800 x 599)