The gloster gladiator represented the pinnacle of biplane fighter design but despite its undoubted pedigree it was almost obsolete as soon as it entered raf service with both the hurricane and spitfire already in development raf gladiator squadrons saw little service with home based units during wwii two squadrons of gladiators did take part in the battle of france where they managed to inflict surprisingly heavy losses on superior german aircraft types during the early air engagements of