Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 5:18:53-5:19:28

A hypothetical monoplane Gladiator for China's air force

The hypothetical Gladiator would add aircraft to a Chinese force short of semi-modern fighters, whose I-15s could already contest Japanese aircraft.

Alternate HistoryFighter AircraftGloster GladiatorRepublic Of China Air ForceSecond Sino Japanese War
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Question

How much trouble would a hypothetical fixed-wing monoplane Gloster Gladiator in the Republic of China Air Force cause Japan?

Short answer

It would add useful aircraft to a force short of semi-modern fighters, while the existing I-15s could already contest Japanese opponents.

Notes

The question imagines a fixed-wing monoplane version of the Gloster Gladiator in Chinese service. Additional aircraft would help an air force short of semi-modern fighters. Chinese I-15s could already contend with the aircraft Japan was sending against them. More usable fighters would therefore help, without establishing a decisive performance advantage for the hypothetical Gladiator.