I'll Start Things Off

[AeroplaneDriver]

Since I can't 'compete' in this build I'll go ahead and start things off with a quickie 1-day (I hope!) build.  

So far I'll reveal that this is a very simple Airfix kit that I'll be building mostly OOB.

Backstory and pics will be added through the day.  So far the very basic Airfix seats are painted and the non-existant cockpit is painted flat black to mask it's lack of...well, lack of anything really.

[AeroplaneDriver]

Following Argentina's beligerent overtones and the ensuing Falklands crisis in 1976, the British government looked at reinforcing the defense of the islands.  Initially the plan included the basing of 4-6 Phantom FGR.2 aircraft at Port Stanley.  Budgetery issues and operational demands brought on by increased tensions with the Soviets led to the shelving of this plan.

Other options for an RAF presence at Stanley included Harriers, Hunters, Jaguars, and Lightnings, but for one reason or another all were overturned.  In the end 1728 Flight deployed to Port Stanley in 1977 with 4 Hawker Siddley Gnats.  The Gant was selected due to it's rugged simplicity and attractive operating costs.  three of the Gnats were maintained in operational status, while the fourth was used for parts.

To give the 4 RAf trainers some offensive capability the aircraft were wired carry Matra rocket pods, GP bombs, and Sidewinder missiles on wing pylons, while a centerline fuel tank was fitted to extend endurance without the use of the wing slipper tanks.

The plan was to replace the Gnats in the 1980-81 timeframe with combat-capable Hawks.  Naturally this plan slipped, mostly due to the bungling of Whitehall paper pushers.  

So it was that when Argentina invaded the islands in April 1982 they sustained surprising losses when they faced Faith, Hope, and Charity.


Noon today


2:30PM

[Mossie]

Very 'Gnatty'!!! Sorry, couldn't reist it......

I know it's basic (to say the least), but I love the old Gnat kit, I've made a few over the years so I'm very much looking forward to this.  Sounds plausible too, although lacking supersonic push, the Gnat is just about one of the most agile jets built, I'm sure it could give larger, faster & much more expensive aircraft a run for it's money.

Just a pointer, don't forget about the fourth aircraft, Desperation!  She's often forgotten about, she was one of the Gladiators in Malta along with Faith, Hope & Charity & is (appropriately) the reserve in 1435 Flt on the Falklands, both when they operated Phantoms & now with Tornado F.3's.  I'm sure she'll have been rolled out if the Argentinians attacked.

[AeroplaneDriver]

OK, started at noon, finished at 10:30!  Figuring homework time with the kids and dinner with the family, I have about 8 hours of work in this build.

*****

When Argentine forces launched their attack on the Falkland Islands on the evening of April 01, 1982 the islanders faced certain occupation.  Though the islands had been reinforced militarily following the 1976 crisis, they were still only defended by 190 Royal Marines and 4 light fighter aircraft.

The four aircraft at Port Stanley airport were RAF Gnat FG.2s.  These 4 FG.2s, the only in existence were converted from standard RAF Gnat T.1s in 1977 when they turned over the training role to Hawks.  The T.1 was modified to carry Matra 2.75" rocket pods, 500 and 1000lb bombs, and Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.  A conformal fuel tank on the belly of the aircraft increased endurance by 45 minutes.  Still not the long-legged multi-role fighter envisioned when Fhantom FGR.2s were considered for island defense, but nevertheless these Gnats had teeth!

The four aircraft were nicknamed Faith, Hope, Charity, and Desperation after the Gloster Gladiators defending Malta from Nazi forces during World War 2.  Desperation was normally a reserve aircraft, but following the Argentine seizure of South Georgia Island on March 19 she was brought to combat ready status.

Once the invasion began it was only a matter of time before the British forces were defeated, but still the pilots of the four Gnats fought a battle which stirred the hearts of the Islanders and Britons alike.  Not since the Battle of Britain had the thoughts of the nation been focused on the struggle of a hopelessly outnumbered RAF force.

Hope was the only Gnat to survive the invasion, with Faith and Charity both being shot down by Mirages, and Desperation being destroyed on the ground.  Before Governor Rex Hunt surrendered the islands on April 05 the four Gnats had shot down 5 Argentine aircraft and carried out rocket and bomb attacks on landing enemy forces, slowing their progress to Port Stanley.  

During the battle Flt Lt. Douglas Johnson, flying Charity, pressed home an attack on the Argentine destroyer Santisma Trinidad in the face of an intense AAA and SAM defense and managed to score a direct hit on the ship with a 500lb bomb before being engaged and shot down by a Mirage flying CAP over the landings.  Flt Lt Johnson was killed, but he was awarded a posthumous VC for his actions.

Hope now resides at the Imperial War Museum in London and is on display as she appeared on the eve of hostilities, armed with a single AIM-9L Sidewinder and a Matra roket pod.  During the first wave of landings Hope shot down an Argentine Skyhawk with this AIM-9L.

[K5054NZ]

           

Easy as that.

Have I ever wanted a Gnat so bad? I doubt it. Great way to kick it off, Nick. Fantabulous. I'd love to build one of the other three - perhaps Hope as she appears at the IWM...........

Cheers,

Zac

[philp]

Love the quick build.  Nice story and great execution.
So, hand painted or airbrush?

Ok found the other post and see you used my favorite secret weapon, rattle cans.

[AeroplaneDriver]

Love the quick build.  Nice story and great execution.
So, hand painted or airbrush?

Ok found the other post and see you used my favorite secret weapon, rattle cans.

Yeah, I especially love Tamiya lacquer cans.  They aint cheap, but the paint goes on beautifully and dries quickly.

I'm a big believer in KISS and if I can avoid breaking out the Paasche, I will.

[nev]

very sharp!  B)  

[Glenn Gilbertson]

Great story and fun modelling - love it!  

[Mossie]

What a beauty!  The Gnat just looks right cammed up.  Good job Driver, nice back story too.

If anyones interested in building the Gnat, as well as the Airfix kit Aeroclub do a 1/48 injection/white metal kit short run kit.  As such it's not cheap (£22.50 direct from Aeroclub, Hannants do it but it's marked up) but apparently it goes together nicely.  If you wanted to scaleorama it, you could pass it off as 1/72 & it'd still look small against other jets!

http://www.aeroclub-models.com/p.html?n=2&c=K438
http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/?FULL=ABK438

[Brian da Basher]

Wow AD absolutely beautiful! I am amazed at your talent and skill. That backstory is a real winner too! This is one of the most believable whiffs I've seen lately! Two thumbs up!

Brian da Basher

[lancer]

In real life I am 6'4" tall and the thing that always amazes meis when I stand next to the Gnat at the Midlands Air Museum, I am at least 2 foot taller than the top of the fuselage. That is one plane that certainly deserves it's name.  

[Excalibur]

I think Gnats would have made a decent garrison for the Falklands, given they are small & cheap. Another possibility might be Harrier GR 3's which could have been used against the Argentinian landing force.

[retro_seventies]

Wonderful! - utterly gripping and believable backstory, and flawlessly built model to boot!            

[Maverick]

AD.

Man, i remember the kit when I was a kid in Highschool, it has NEVER looked any better than now.  Not a Brit at all, but the story really got me, a catch in the throat as they say.  I followed events pretty closely back then as I was just in the process of joining the RAAF myself.

Excellent and a fitting tribute to all concerned.

Mav