The Air Force of the Royal Navy at the beginning of the Second World War consisted of 20 squadrons with a total number of 232 aircraft. The tasks of naval aviation included reconnaissance, target detection for warships, offensive operations against enemy warships and merchant ships, and protection against submarines and enemy aircraft. Squadrons usually had 9-12 aircraft of the same type, although sometimes their composition was mixed. A significant feature of British naval aviation before the Second World War was a significant number of biplanes. This was due to their better flight characteristics for deck landings in the open sea. The single Gloster Sea Gladiator biplane fighter was in production from 1938 and was the naval version of the land-based Gladiator fighter. The deck version differed from the ground version with a reinforced lower wing, changed equipment, a tail hook for landing and a life raft placed under the fuselage. From December 1938 to February 1939, 60 Gloster Sea Gladiators were produced, another 38 aircraft were received by converting land-based Gladiator Mk.II fighters.
