Gloster IV

The Gloster IV was a single-engined biplane racing floatplane designed by Henry Folland for the 1927 Schneider Trophy race as a development of the Gloster III. Its fuselage used a double-diagonal spruce skin, its gulled wings blended into the body and carried surface radiators, and drag was cut by some 45 percent against the Gloster III, which was thought to add about 70 mph. Three were built in 1927 with different wing areas and tails. The IVB flown by Samuel Kinkead was the only one to compete, retiring after five laps because its propeller shaft was cracked. The aircraft then served as high-speed trainers for the RAF High Speed Flight.