Hawker Siddeley Gnat All-through Jet Trainer

Glenn Gilbertson · May 17, 2024, 04:02:25 PM

Found this RW project in Spirit of Hamble - Folland Aircraft by Derek N James. Scaling the plans to 1/72 showed that Hawker Sea Hawk wings were a close match, but larger tailplanes would need to be scratch built. So, with a wrecked Airfix Gnat fuselage, left over wings from my Hawker P.1035 https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=48265.msg894422#msg894422 and plastic card, here goes!

Wardukw · May 17, 2024, 07:48:27 PM

Not one of my fav aircraft but I do love a scratch bashing build for sure no matter what it is

PFJN · May 17, 2024, 08:10:30 PM

Hi
This sounds interesting. I can't wait to see more

Dizzyfugu · May 18, 2024, 12:06:52 AM

Oh, that's looking nice, cool idea!

Fouga Magister wings could work well, too?

kitbasher · May 18, 2024, 01:15:05 AM

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on May 18, 2024, 12:06:52 AMFouga Magister wings could work well, too?

On the high altitude lightweight recce version, yes!

NARSES2 · May 18, 2024, 05:58:23 AM

That looks interesting Glen

Freightdog862 · May 18, 2024, 08:11:50 AM

What a great idea, longer wings should have Kit's approval!

Colin

PR19_Kit · May 19, 2024, 04:48:27 AM

Quote from: Freightdog862 on May 18, 2024, 08:11:50 AMWhat a great idea, longer wings should have Kit's approval!

Glenn Gilbertson · May 24, 2024, 11:00:10 AM

Making progress - surprising how different it looks.

Where is the pitot tube? Good question. dropped the model on the xarpet, pitot broke off & disappeared! Will have to make another one.

Wardukw · May 24, 2024, 11:53:25 PM

Getting there Glenn 😊

NARSES2 · May 25, 2024, 05:20:39 AM

Quote from: Wardukw on May 24, 2024, 11:53:25 PMGetting there Glenn 😊

'tis indeed

Glenn Gilbertson · May 30, 2024, 04:07:20 AM

Nearly there!

The GA drawing showed parallel-sided drop tanks, so, "cut down Airfix Hunter tanks,". i thought. That eliminated the parallel portion, so I have another scheme!
Decided to change the nose pattern, and thought aluminium enamel might cover forty-year old dayglo orange without an undercoat. Wrong. Should know better by now.

Glenn Gilbertson · May 30, 2024, 02:01:43 PM

There were two schools of thought on training aircraft in the 1950s & 1960s - "side-by side" seating for closer supervision & support by the instructor,, or "start as you mean to go on" tandem seating. The RAF chose the side-by-side Jet Provost & Hunter trainers plus tandem Gnats for their new all-jet programme. Folland Aircraft Co. approached the Royal Navy with a proposal to supply three different versions of their Gnat - an all -through straight-winged initial trainer, a hooked version of the RAF's swept-winged Gnat T.2 and a Sea Gnat fighter-bomber. The last would give a chance for the Navy to be able to support amphibious landings from Light Fleet Carriers such as HMS Centaur rather than use more expensive Fleet Carriers. Adoption of this force by the Royal Navy would hopefully lead to exports to India, the Netherlands, Australia and possibly Canada.

(See my 2020 thread at https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=47971.0)

The Admiralty could have made the investment, so I present the Folland/Hawker Siddeley Gnat T.21, 727 Squadron, Brawdy 1962. The nose badge is "Britannia" (as seen on their RW Sea Vampire), drop tanks economically recycled by the Admiralty from Sea Hawk stocks.

The contrast with the newer Gnat T.2 shows the quality advances made by Airfix over the years!

buzzbomb · May 30, 2024, 03:17:13 PM

Great look with the wing changes. I like it a lot

Wardukw · May 30, 2024, 10:49:02 PM

Quote from: buzzbomb on May 30, 2024, 03:17:13 PMGreat look with the wing changes. I like it a lot

Yep that's a very cool little bird