Belgian Gladiator MkI

Gladiator MkI

1ère Escardrille de Chasse ("La Comète")/Ième Group/No.2 Air Regiment (Fighter)

********For Cocas' terrific Gladiator MkII********

Belgium had ordered 22 Gladiator Is during the summer of 1937. 15 aircraft were serviceable on 10 May 1940. Five were not in a flyable condition, 2 were lost prior to accidents prior to the commencement of hostilities.

I've included only 14 numbers in the pact as the 15th aircraft (no. 18) belonged to the commanding General and was not armed. While the exact serial numbers of all the active aircraft are not known, I have included the numbers of all the aircraft which were recorded as combat losses.

La Comète were based at Schaffen, just north of Diest. The base was attacked at 04:32hrs on 10 May 1940 with the loss of 3 Gladiators and 9 of the 11 Hurricane MkIs stationed there.

LloydNB