Fri, Feb 11, 2011
One Of Only 105 Ever Built
In 1955, the Folland Aircraft Company flew the compact Gnat T
Mk. 1 aircraft for the first time to great praise by the RAF test
pilots and development team that included one pilot for India. The
tiny jet was evaluated by the RAF as a possible replacement to the
DeHavilland Venom, but lost out to the Hawker Hunter. Rather than
be used as a fighter, the RAF used the Gnat as a trainer, but it
was most notable as the aircraft used by the Red Arrows
demonstration team.
Folland Gnat
The Gnat did see service as a fighter, known as the F.1 with the
Indian Air Force and has been credited with shooting down seven
Pakistani Canadair Sabre jets (license built F-86) during the 1965
Indo-Pakistani War. The Gnat received the nickname of "Sabre
Slayer."
Thanks to the generosity of a donor, the Spirit of Flight Center
near Denver, Colorado now has a "Sabre Slayer", Gnat XP513, and it
will soon be on display with the goal to get the plane back in the
air for the general public to enjoy. "I have always admired the
Gnat and how maneuverable it is," said Spirit of Flight Center
President Gordon Page. "I have flown one and you really need to be
on your game because of how quick it is."
Gnat Red Arrows With Concorde
Only 105 Gnats were built and used by the UK, India, Finland and
Yugoslavia. Today, there are only a handful of airworthy examples
in the United States and United Kingdom. "A lot of people recognize
the Folland Gnat, but many don't know that it was used as the
fictional Navy fighter flown by the Americans in the movie Hot
Shots," said Gordon Page. "We will have an original poster from the
1991 movie near the Gnat to remind everyone."
Gnat In Restoration
The Spirit of Flight Center is looking for donations to help get
the plane back in the air. Anyone looking to help "Save a Gnat" is
encouraged to contact the Spirit of Flight Center.
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