Fairey Gannet ASR Query

[Cobra]

Hey Guys,i was just surfing Google,when a Question hit me. Was the Fairey Gannet Ever considered for ASR(Air Sea Rescue) use? it's a Question i wondered about because it seemed like a Natural fit for that Plane. What Say You? thanks for looking. Dan

[Mossie]

The anti-submarine version could drop an inflatable dinghy, while the AEW version could perform the search role.  The two versions are actually very different, with not much commonality between them.  I read the AEW version was tobe called the Albatross for this very reason, but as the anti-submarine version was being retired this never happened.

[PR19_Kit]

There wasn't any need for an ASR Gannet for the FAA or the RAF as they both had much more suitable aircraft available already. In the FAA's case they had Whirliwind and Sea King choppers, and the RAF had both those types and the Shackleton as well.

Of course ALL things are possible in Whiffworld............. 

[DarrenP]

Fairey Gannet AEW upgrade.

Looking at the lash up Seaking AEW could the searchwater radar fitted into the Gannet AEW airframe/radome if for example the Royal Navy had continued carrier aviation having got Malta class carriers later say in late 50's early 60's.

[PR19_Kit]

Don't forget the original anti-sub Gannets had a retractable radome under the belly. Maybe that could have been upgraded to the Searchwater in later life?

[Thorvic]

Fairey Gannet AEW upgrade.

Looking at the lash up Seaking AEW could the searchwater radar fitted into the Gannet AEW airframe/radome if for example the Royal Navy had continued carrier aviation having got Malta class carriers later say in late 50's early 60's.

One of the P139 options was for the upgraded Gannet AEW, the AEW7 was going to be an AEW3 with improved and updated electronics, although i suspect they would have eventually gone with a new Airframe most likely the Hawkeye off the shelf.

As for ASR Gannets, the FAA wouldn't have used them as ASR to them was rescuing downed pilots from their Carriers and had switched to Helicopters early on. For RAF use there is some merit, the ASR/ASW cover of coastal command was originally going to be two tier with long range deep water MPA such as the Shackleton and later Nimrod and smaller coastal aircraft such as the seamew. ASW Gannets could have gone over to RAF use in the late 50's for coastal command althoug, could have them being replaced by a variant of the Blackburn P139 COD variant or maybe Lockheed Vikings or modified Hawkeyes (without rotodome).

Some potential there for various builds in relevant RAF schemes and possibly UK Coastguard for unarmed versions

[Rheged]

Some potential there for various builds in relevant RAF schemes and possibly UK Coastguard for unarmed versions

Now there's an idea!  Coastguard Gannets out of Manston and/or  St Eval  using their radar to monitor Channel and approaches shipping, with a data-link to a traffic control on the ground.