The Folland Gnat was a British compact swept-wing subsonic fighter aircraft that was developed and produced by Folland Aircraft in 1955. Envisioned as an affordable light fighter in contrast to the rising cost and size of typical combat aircraft of that time. Its designer, W.E.W. ‘Teddy’ Petter had previously been responsible for the Lysander, Canberra and Lightning projects when working for Westlands and English Electric companies.
The RAF were not interested in the fighter variant of the Gnat, however, they were interested in the possibility of adding an extra seat to the aircraft and turning it into a jet trainer. The advanced jet trainer variant was designated Gnat T Mk.1 by the RAF and the prototype first flew in August 1959. It was a slightly enlarged version of the fighter and numerous other changes were made to the basic single seat design, including deletion of the cannons, strengthening of the airframe, installation of the Bristol Siddeley Orpheus 4-100 engine and the addition of underwing slipper fuel tanks. The greatest change was the revised cockpit which had two larger ejection seats mounted in tandem under a large clear-view canopy.
The aircraft was put up for auction in the February 2023, Tangmere won that auction and the aircraft arrived at Tangmere in March. work began almost immediately on its restoration and eventually it entered the conservation hangar, where it remains until the work is complete.
A contract for 14 pre-production/development trainers was placed in 1958, with the first making its maiden flight on 31 August 1959. A follow-up order for production examples was expected by Folland but did not come before the company was take-over by Hawker Siddeley. Eventually the RAF placed their order for production trainers with 30 being ordered in February 1960. Another 61 were also added later, bringing the total to 105. By June 1962 the first production aircraft had flown and between 1962 and 1965 the rest were built.
The Gnat T Mk.1 entered service with the Central Flying School at RAF Little Rissington in February 1962 and later in the year joined No 4 Flying Training School (FTS) at RAF Valley where it replaced the de Havilland Vampire T Mk.11s.
In the training role the Gnat served very well as it gave fighter-like performance and agility, yet still handled well at low speeds. However, the Gnat did have a number of problems – it was expensive to operate, many of its systems were unreliable and it was difficult to maintain as the airframe was cramped. In addition, its small cockpit caused injury to a number of tall pilots when forced to ejected. Finally, the instructor in the rear cockpit had poor headspace and forward and rearward view as the seats were not staggered.
The Gnat T Mk.1 is perhaps best remembered for its involvement in the birth of the RAF’s aerobatic team the Red Arrows. In 1964 No 4 FTS formed an aerobatic team of five yellow-painted Gnats modified to generate smoke. Called the Yellowjacks, the team gave brilliant performances to the public at various air shows. Their success (which was largely due to the agility of the Gnat) led to the formation of the famous Red Arrows for the 1965 air show season and became the RAF’s official aerobatic team. These red Gnats were flown by instructors from the Central Flying School and were based at Fairford, Gloucestershire, then a satellite of the Central Flying School. However, the team later moved from Fairford to RAF Kemble.
The RAF decided to continue the team in 1966 and two years later to increase its size to nine aircraft. Also during this year, the team adopted the classic Diamond Nine formation that has come to represent the peak of precision flying and is now the team’s famous trademark.
The Gnat T. Mk 1s served with the RAF in the training role from 1962 until 1978 when they were replaced with the Hawk T Mk.1. The last group of pilots trained on the Gnat graduated from No 4 FTS on 24 November 1978. Even though the Gnats were being retired, the Red Arrows still flew with the Gnat in 1979, only converting to the Hawk in 1980.
Tangmere’s T1 Gnat, XR571, after its first flight in 1963, was allocated to No 4 FTS at RAF Valley where it served for twelve years. In 1975, following a heavy landing, it was categorised as being beyond economical repair (Cat 5) and was adopted as a Gate Guard at RAF Brampton, the HQ of Support Command, painted in training colours. 1979 saw a further change when the aircraft was handed over to the Red Arrows at RAF Kemble. Here it was repainted in Team livery and set up as the Squadron ‘Gate Guardian’.
The next move came in 1983 when the Team and their ‘Guardian’ relocated to RAF Scampton. After several years in the open outside the Squadron XR571 was moved under cover in the Station Heritage Centre where it underwent a refurbishment. With the closure of the station in 2023, XR571 was moved to a holding location in Yorkshire finally being auctioned off for the MOD in April that year.
Tangmere Military Aviation Museum became the new owners and following a further move the aircraft is on display at its new home whilst undergoing extensive conservation work.
The Tangmere Folland Gnat restoration begins. Folland Gnat T.1 XR571 first flew on the 4th of October 1963 and last flew in 1975, after
Anyone who was visiting the Museum recently might have noticed the arrival of a large haulage truck with a strange shaped object strapped to its
The Tangmere Folland Gnat restoration begins. Folland Gnat T.1 XR571 first flew on the 4th of October 1963 and last flew in 1975, after
Tangmere Military Aviation Museum is attending the Littlehampton Armed Forces day event on the 29th june opening at 10:30, for more information on the event
BAC Lightning Day Saturday 10th August 2024The Tangmere Lightning Day celebrates the 70th Anniversary of the first flight of the English Electric P.1A – forerunnerof
Fans of the Dad’s Army programme are set to be entertained at the Museum tomorrow!, 17th March 2024 Re-enactors from a group called NAAFI Brigade
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