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The Folland Gnat was an exceptionally small swept-wing subsonic jet trainer and light fighter aircraft designed by W. E. W. Petter that first flew in 1955. Its design was such that it could be built without specialised tools, hence by countries that were not necessarily in the first rank of industrialisation. However, to achieve such small size, its systems were quite closely-packed, making maintenance more difficult.

Serving mostly with India as the Gnat Mk. II, the Gnat was the only IAF aircraft considered by the IAF to be a worthy fighter, however, Pakistan Airforce pilots always had more respect for the Hawker Hunter. The IAF heavily relied on superior numbers, however, when the Gnat met various PAF aircraft in one on one encounters, it was generally shot down. In one aerial engagement an IAF Gnat pilot surrendered to a PAF F-104 Star Fighter without a fight. The pilot of the Gnat was dismissed from the IAF while still a POW. [1] In Britain it served as the Folland Fo.144 Gnat Trainer (later renamed the Gnat T.Mk1), most notably as the demonstration aircraft of the RAF's Red Arrows aerobatic team. A few served with Finland In Britain it served as the Folland Fo.144 Gnat Trainer (later renamed the Gnat T.Mk1), most notably as the demonstration aircraft of the RAF's Red Arrows aerobatic team. A few served with Finland.

Many of the Indian aircraft were built in Bangalore with over 175 made there along with about 40 purchased direct from Folland. Finland had stopped using Gnats by 1974, and the UK by 1979. Gnats served in India from 1958-1978, and several remain in use in private hands.

The Gnat's experimental precursor was the Folland Midge, which used a less-powerful engine. In India, the aircraft was called the Ajeet, or "Unconquerable". The successor of the Gnat was a modification for Indian conditions, called the Ajeet Mark 2.

When the RAF replaced and sold-off its Gnat T.Mk1 trainers many were bought by private collectors and subsequently appeared (along with some single-seat Gnats) in the Charlie Sheen movie Hot Shots.

One of the only remaining Gnats in the UK is currently being restored to flight status at Bournemouth Airport, in Southern England. Once restored, XR537 (or G-NATY as she is registered on the civilian register) will be the only genuine former Red Arrows Gnat on the European display circuit. She can be viewed at Bournemouth Aviation Museum.

Variants

Fo.141 Gnat : Single seat lightweight fighter aircraft.
Fo. 144 Gnat trainer : Two-seat advanced trainer aircraft.
Gnat T.Mk 1 : Two-seat advanced trainer version for the RAF.

Operators

Finland, India, United Kingdom, Yugoslavia (Two aircraft only for tests).

Specifications (Folland Gnat)^[1]

General characteristics

Crew: 1

Performance Armament

2x 30mm ADEN cannons
2x 500 lb (227 kg) bombs or 18x 3 in (76 mm) rockets

References

^ Green, W (2001). The great book of fighters. MBI Publishing. ISBN 0760311943. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

External links

www.folland-gnat.com

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 The '''Folland Gnat''' was an exceptionally small [[swept-wing]] subsonic jet trainer and light fighter aircraft designed by [[W. E. W. Petter]] that first flew in [[1955]]. Its design was such that it could be built without specialised tools, hence by countries that were not necessarily in the first rank of industrialisation. However, to achieve such small size, its systems were quite closely-packed, making maintenance more difficult.
+Serving mostly with India as the Gnat Mk. II, the Gnat was the only IAF aircraft considered by the IAF to be a worthy fighter, however, Pakistan Airforce pilots always had more respect for the Hawker Hunter. The IAF heavily relied on superior numbers, however, when the Gnat met various PAF aircraft in one on one encounters, it was generally shot down. In one aerial engagement an IAF Gnat pilot surrendered to a PAF F-104 Star Fighter without a fight. The pilot of the Gnat was dismissed from the IAF while still a POW. [http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/airforce/war/gnat.html] In Britain it served as the Folland Fo.144 Gnat Trainer (later renamed the Gnat T.Mk1), most notably as the demonstration aircraft of the RAF's Red Arrows aerobatic team. A few served with Finland In Britain it served as the Folland Fo.144 Gnat Trainer (later renamed the Gnat T.Mk1), most notably as the demonstration aircraft of the RAF's Red Arrows aerobatic team. A few served with Finland.
-Serving mostly with [[India]] as the '''Gnat Mk. II''', the Gnat is credited with shooting down seven [[Pakistan]]i [[F-86]]s in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|1965 war]] between the two countries having the lowest [[attrition]] rate. The Gnats were used again in the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] against [[Pakistan Air Force]] downing several aircraft. The most notable battle was the [[Battle of Garibpur]] which witnessed the first [[dog fighting]] in [[East Pakistan]] and the downing of all 3 [[Pakistan Air Force|PAF]] [[F-86 Sabre|Sabres]] involved by the 4 [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] Gnats. The Gnat proved to be a frustrating opponent for the technically superior Sabres in both the wars and earned the nickname "Sabre killers". [http://www.stratmag.com/issueJan-1/page07.htm] Tactics called for Gnats taking on the Sabres in the vertical where they had a chance and came out trumps.
-In Britain it served as the '''Folland Fo.144 Gnat Trainer''' (later renamed the '''Gnat T.Mk1'''), most notably as the demonstration aircraft of the [[Royal Air Force|RAF]]'s [[Red Arrows]] aerobatic team. A few served with [[Finland]].
 Many of the Indian aircraft were built in [[Bangalore]] with over 175 made there along with about 40 purchased direct from Folland. Finland had stopped using Gnats by [[1974]], and the UK by [[1979]]. Gnats served in India from [[1958]]-[[1978]], and several remain in use in private hands.