In the defense resolution of 1936 it was decided to organize one new fighter and four new bomber wings. The fighter wing was for the defense of the Stockholm area. The head of the Swedish Airforce found the Gloster Gladiator best suited for the demands. Two squadrons in the wing should get planes from England and the third should get license-manufactured planes. The type was called J8 (J stands for Jaktplan, i.e. fighter).

The first squadron of Gladiator was organized on F8 Barkarby (F stands for Flottilj, i.e. wing) and was received with mixed feelings since the planes where new but obsolete. The first flight of the plane was back in 1934 and more than 500 had been delivered to the RAF. The biplane configuration meant great turnability but the top speed wasn't good compared with modern fighters of the day.

The first J8's had a Bristol Mercury VI with 645 hp, but the successive version (J8A) had a Mercury VIII with 840h hp.

Technical details for the Gloster Gladiator in Swedish service
Type:
Fighter
Spann:
9.83 m
Lenght:
8.36 m
Engine:
J8 - Bristol Mercury VIS2 / 645 hsp.
J8A - Bristol Mercury VIIIS3 / 840 hsp.
Max speed:
410 km/h
Max ceiling:
10700 m
Armament:
4x8 mm Browning machine guns + bombs
Number in AF:
55 (37 J8 and 18 J8A)
In service:
1937-1947