Hawker Siddeley Gnat FRS.1

[Torchwood]

When the Gnat was introduced into service by the Royal Air Force in 1959, officials at the Ministry of Defence saw the potential in the aircraft in the low level strike role. Fast (although sub-sonic), agile and repatively easy to fly, it would be ideal for fast rocket attacks on land and sea targets.

After the First Cod War in 1958, Government officials reckoned that what was needed to deter any more 'jumped-up' Icelandics (or any other countries that wanted our fish stocks), was a jet aircraft small and fast enough to scare off any would be poachers. So, when Officials saw the Gnat fly, they instantly saw its potential.

MoD took the Gnat and modified it. Whilst keeping its two crew capacity (1 Pilot, 1 Navigator), the basic airframe was adapted to carry an extra fuel tank under the fuselage. The basic range of the Gnat was only just over 100 miles. The extra fuel tank added another 80 onto this, giving the aircraft time to loiter and attack any enemy vessels. Two hardpoints were fitted, capable of carrying rocket pods or two small bombs. In some cases, even Torpedoes were carried!

By 1963 weapons trials were being carried out, and after great success, the new aircraft, designated FRS.1, entered service on March 18th, 1964.

Gnat FRS.1's flew from bases on the North Scotland coast, flying at heights between 20 and 200 feet. Regupar target practice was conducted, using floating targets and sometimes even old vessels. Training sorties sometimes lasted for up to 6 hours.

The aircraft were painted in a specially designed low-level maritime scheme, which made visible detection difficult from long range.

The aircraft saw 'service' in both the Second and Third Cod Wars, and on multiple occassions fired their payload...although only in warning shots.

In 1980 the aircraft were finally retired due to the introduction of aircraft more than capable of dealing wity the role of the FRS.1s. Pilot reports tell us that the FRS.1s were an excellent aircraft to fly, and served well in their somewhat limited role.

[Torchwood]

The build will be done over the next few weeks

[PR19_Kit]

Now this I HAVE to see! 

Especially the landing gear with the double fold legs so that they can actually get a torpedo under the thing somewhere.... 

[Torchwood]

The torpedo will be difficult with the low sitting position, but it cant be too difficult...right? Right?

I was thinking, cannabalise another undercarriage, one thats slightly longer, add the Gnat's too the inside as the folding hydraulic, and then scratchbuild a torpedo. If anyone has any info on torpedoes carried in the 60s, much appreciated

wish me luck...im gonna need it

[TsrJoe]

try the smaller (compared to wartime types) torpedoes carried by Sea King's, etc, should be suitable and fit within your timeframe 

cheers, Joe

[Gondor]

You could also carry the torpedo as an asymmetric load under one of the wings. Saves you lots of work with undercarriage and the like.

Gondor

[Torchwood]

I'll research 60s torps and scratch one up. Ive found an old glue applicator lid is the right shape and size so a few chops and changes and boom (no pun intended), we got a torpedo guys!

And yeah, ill have the torp under the left, tank under right, and ill make a belly tank (maybe with an Aden) to give the bird longer legs

[Captain Canada]

Neat idea ! Look forward to seeing some pics

[Torchwood]

  gonna take longer than i thought, lots of stuff going on at the moment thats out of my control, which sucks cos i wanted to get it sorted :/

[McColm]

Didn't Charlie Sheen fly something similar in US Navy colours in a spoof film?

[martinbayer]

Didn't Charlie Sheen fly something similar in US Navy colours in a spoof film?

He did - it was Hot Shots! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Shots!) where the Gnat posed as the Oscar EW-5894 tactical fighter bomber (fictional aircraft name omitted for decency reasons).

Martin