HS Folland Gnat FGR2

[andrewj]

Following the cost over-runs of many current aviation projects and the apparent success of the Folland Gnat F1 in Indian and Finnish Service, the Royal Air Force decided that perhaps there was room for a lightweight fighter in the inventory.
Approaches were made to the Folland division of Hawker Siddeley , who proposed a fighter version of the Gnat trainer, then entering service with the RAF. This they argued would give a large degree of commonality and the slightly larger airframe would allow for a greater range of weaponry than the F1.
The resulting aircraft know as the Gnat FGR2 entered service with several squadrons and proved very successful ,as a very agile fighter , but also because its unit cost proved much lower than other jets.
The aircraft shown served with 41 Sqd RAF and carries the photo-reconnaisance nose , along with rocket pods and a 30mm cannon pod similar to those carried by the Harrier.









The model is from the 1/72 Airfix Gnat, which I picked up in a discount store at a knock down price , change of scale for me , as I usually work in 1/48 , but at the price it seemed rude not to do it.

Andrew

[chrisonord]

Very nice clean build, I have pondered a use for the Gnat myself.
Chris.

[The Rat]

Loving it! 

[Captain Canada]

Ohh, I like that ! Love the colours and the nose. Great idea.

[DogfighterZen]

Nice work!

[zenrat]

 

[NARSES2]

That works  The bottom 3/4 rear view has a slight "Hunterish" air about it ? 

[JayBee]

That is the very best trainer to single seater job that I have seen. 

[TallEng]

Following the cost over-runs of many current aviation projects and the apparent success of the Folland Gnat F1 in Indian and Finnish Service, the Royal Air Force decided that perhaps there was room for a lightweight fighter in the inventory.
Approaches were made to the Folland division of Hawker Siddeley , who proposed a fighter version of the Gnat trainer, then entering service with the RAF. This they argued would give a large degree of commonality and the slightly larger airframe would allow for a greater range of weaponry than the F1.
The resulting aircraft know as the Gnat FGR2 entered service with several squadrons and proved very successful ,as a very agile fighter , but also because its unit cost proved much lower than other jets.
The aircraft shown served with 41 Sqd RAF and carries the photo-reconnaisance nose , along with rocket pods and a 30mm cannon pod similar to those carried by the Harrier.

Andrew

Going from the 'Chicken' on the fin and the black and white checks I assume you meant 43Sqn.
Nice job
would also fit in here; the Gnat theme build: http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,35214.0.html
Regards
Keith

[Devilfish]

I'm liking that.  I have built an Aggressor Gnat, but I want to redo it as I'm not happy with it.

[andrewj]

Thanks everyone for the positive comments , Talleng , you are indeed correct , should be 43 Sqd , the " chicken " on the fin being the giveaway, must have been a minor brain freeze when typing.

Andrew

[Dizzyfugu]

Very nice. The new nose looks very good. 

[Weaver]

Nicely done! 

[SPINNERS]

Yep, ticks a lot of boxes for me. Well done.

[Nick]

I like that!      How did you do the nose?