G-EAYN Gloster Grouse
(c/n 1)
This cute little thing was the Gloster Grouse.
Initally a Mark I and then modified to Mark II
status (at which
time its c/n was changed to "2"). The Mark I was designed
as a fighter and
became, in fact,
the prototype for the popular Gloster Grebe, which was the RAF's first
all
new fighter following
WW I (deliveries started in 1923). This Grouse was later modified
as
a trainer (Mark II). Since
it was a private enterprise undertaking it bore a civil registration
rather than a
military serial. It was
sold to the Swedish Army in December of 1925 with
serial number "62".