Fairey Gannet Customs Interceptor Idea

[Cobra]

Hey Guys, Inspired by the Awesome Model of the Fairey Gannet by TallEng, What If the Fairey Gannet were Used by the US Customs,HM Customs,Etc. to Intercept Drug Smuggler Aircraft? Would it work for the Role? just something that kinda Hit me, so i thought i'd Post it. What Say You? Thanks for looking.Dan

[pyro-manic]

It would make a decent patrol aircraft, but not so much an interceptor - it was rather slow, and wasn't designed for air-to-air work. Could use it to search for (and possibly attack) drug-running powerboats though. Bombs in the weapons bay, rockets (or maybe gun packs) under the wings.

[Weaver]

It would make a decent patrol aircraft, but not so much an interceptor - it was rather slow, and wasn't designed for air-to-air work. Could use it to search for (and possibly attack) drug-running powerboats though. Bombs in the weapons bay, rockets (or maybe gun packs) under the wings.

Then again, you're only intercepting drug-running aircraft, which are presumably older general aviation types with low speed and ceiling. The Gannet's 300 mph top end still gives it a 100mph speed advantage over say, a Beechcraft Bonanza. If you fitted the AEW version's more powerful engine in a stripped-down ASW airframe, you could make a "hotrod" Gannet (there's a term you don't see every day!) with a bit more speed still, although I suspect drag would limit the gains from being too spectacular.

[chrisonord]

Already have something similar in the pipeline, except it will be Honduras navy that gets the honours, cool idea though Dan, you could maybe stick some stingers or sidewinders on it too.
Chris