Gloster VI
Gloster Aircraft Company · United Kingdom · first flew 1929 · light aircraft
The Gloster VI, known as the Golden Arrow, was a British racing seaplane built for the 1929 Schneider Trophy contest. Powered by a Napier Lion VIIB engine, it was one of the fastest aircraft in the world at the time but was withdrawn before the race due to mechanical issues.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.23 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- British Schneider Trophy racing seaplane of 1929
- Golden Arrow — sleek metal monoplane floatplane
- Napier Lion VIIB engine; set early speed records
Extremely sleek golden-coloured metal monoplane with twin floats, a fully faired inline engine, and a very short wingspan — the epitome of late-1920s racing aircraft design.
Specifications
- The Gloster VI has a length of 8.23 m (27 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.92 m (26 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 565 km/h (351 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Gloster designed the VI as a highly streamlined low-wing monoplane floatplane, with an all-metal construction painted gold — hence its nickname. Engine cooling problems prevented it from competing at the 1929 contest won by the Supermarine S.6. The aircraft demonstrated the state of British high-speed design.
Variants
Two aircraft were built; no production variants followed as racing seaplanes were specialized one-offs.
Where you'll see it
British high-speed flight evaluation only; it did not serve in any operational capacity.
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