The Aircraft
History of the Gnat
The Folland Gnat first flew in 1955 and was primarily used in the UK in its training configuration as well as being chosen for the British Yellowjacks aerobatic team in 1964.
Throughout most of the 1960s and 1970s it was the UK’s key fast jet trainer. Used extensively by 4 FTS at RAF Valley, when the final Folland Gnat course was completed on the 24th November 1979, the aircraft of No. 4 FTS had flown more than 157,000 hours and trained 1421 fast jet pilots.
In 1965, when the RAF set up its first official aerobatic team, the nimble and striking Gnat was an obvious choice. The jets were painted red and after forming in late 1964 the new team made its first public appearance in 1965 – that team still goes under the same name that it did all those years ago, “The Red Arrows.”
Abroad, the Folland Gnat was used in its fighter configuration, serving in the Indian and Finnish Air Forces with great success. During the 1965 war with Pakistan, Gnats are credited with shooting down seven F-86 Sabre aircraft and it is as a result of that conflict that the little Gnat gained its well deserved nickname – “The Sabre Slayer”.
In the late 1970’s the Gnat was superseded in the UK training role by the BAe Hawk T.Mk1, an aircraft that is still in service today. The Hawk is a larger and more economical aircraft and excels at the training role, but pilots who have had the privilege of operating both types will often remark on the pure exhilaration gained from a sortie in the Gnat.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum limiting Mach number | 1.3 Mach |
| Maximum level speed | 0.95 Mach (525 knots IAS at SL, 636 mph) |
| Ceiling | 48,000 ft. |
| Range | 1,151 miles (with two 300-liter under wing tanks) |
| Fuselage length | 31ft. 9in. (without probe) |
| Height | 9ft. 7.5in. |
| Wing Span | 24ft. 0in. |
| Wing Area | 175 sq. feet |
| Tailplane, nett area | 37.10 sq. feet |
| Fin & rudder nett area | 20.25 sq. feet |
| Rudder area | 3.75 sq. feet |
| Undercarriage track | 5ft. 1in. |
| Engine type | Orpheus 101 |
| Maximum thrust | 4,520 lbs. at 9,660 rpm at SL. |
| Fuel Capacity, internal | 268 IG |
| Fuel Capacity, external | 118 IG |
| Weight empty | 5,560 lbs. |
| Maximum Take-Off Weight | 9,520 lbs. |
| Aircraft Clean: SL to 20,000 feet | 3.5 minutes |
| Aircraft Clean: SL to 40,000 feet | 7.5 minutes |
| Aircraft with slipper tanks: SL to 20,000 feet | 4 minutes |
| Aircraft with slipper tanks: SL to 40,000 feet | 9 minutes |
AIRCRAFT
History of G-RORI (XR538)
XR 538 has a civilian registration G-RORI. This Gnat T.Mk1 aircraft is painted in No.4 FTS colours, representing the crucial role that the aircraft played in the training of so many fast jet pilots. Mostly red with white stripes, the colour scheme shows off the sleek lines and grace of this beautiful aircraft.
Construction Number FL549, was built by Folland at their Hamble factory in early 1963 and first flew on 21st June 1963. It was accepted into RAF service on 31st July 1963, serving at RAF Valley with No.4 Flying Training School (FTS) until 11th March 1979, having completed 16 years of instructional service with the RAF.
History of G-MOUR (XR991)
G-MOUR flies in the colours of the famous Yellowjacks display team, that preceded the Red Arrows.
This Gnat T.Mk1, Construction Number FL596, was built by Folland at their Hamble factory in early 1964 and first flew on 19th September 1964. It was accepted into RAF service on 8th October 1964 and was allocated the serial number XS102, serving at RAF Valley with No4 Flying Training School (FTS). It underwent various modifications at Bitteswell in February 1970 and continued flying with 4FTS until 1978, finally being Struck Off Charge on 31st March 1979, having completed 14 years of instructional service with the RAF.
In civilian hands, G-MOUR has been repainted into the Yellowjacks aerobatic team colour scheme and has been given the RAF serial Number XR991, in order to look more authentic – XR991 being one of the founding Yellowjacks airframes.
History of G-NATY (XR537)
The Gnat Display Team has recently acquired a third Folland Gnat T.Mk1 aircraft registered G-NATY. It is painted in Red Arrows colours and is currently undergoing a major service before return to flight.
This Gnat T.Mk1, Construction Number FL548, was built by Folland at their Hamble factory in early 1963 and first flew on 13th June 1963. It was accepted into RAF service on 5th July 1963 and was allocated the serial number XR537, serving with CFS and then at RAF Valley with No.4 Flying Training School (FTS). During its RAF service it was briefly flown with the Red Arrows, until it was retired whilst at RAE on the 20th September 1979.
History of G-SLYR (E296)
Several years ago, the Charity managed to acquire an ex-Indian Air Force Folland Gnat F.Mk1 (single-seat Fighter). The IAF registration was IE296 (subsequently E296). This Gnat was built in February 1967 by HAL at their Bangalore factory (Construction Number: H/GN/130), and saw service until the 1980s.
The aircraft has been kept in its original Indian Air Force colour scheme, and following its success in the Indo-Pakistani war, has been registered with the CAA as G-SLYR – a tribute to its nick-name from that conflict as the “Sabre Slayer”.
