Gnats
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allthecoolnamesarego
Don't know if this is of help but have you got sight of the books Folland Gnat Sabre Slayer and Red Arrow (by Victor Bingham) & Spirit of Hamble Folland Aircraft (by Derek James). Would suggest their excellent reference sources for all things Gnat.
All the Best, PFR.
Don't know if this is of help but have you got sight of the books Folland Gnat Sabre Slayer and Red Arrow (by Victor Bingham) & Spirit of Hamble Folland Aircraft (by Derek James). Would suggest their excellent reference sources for all things Gnat.
All the Best, PFR.
BEagle
LOL!
PFR,
Thanks for the references, I haven't got them, but I think my colleague has the Sabre Slayer one. I intend on getting my own copy of that and will now search for the second book.
Thanks again!
coolnames
the JP6 (sometimes called the Hawk) didn't have it.
PFR,
Thanks for the references, I haven't got them, but I think my colleague has the Sabre Slayer one. I intend on getting my own copy of that and will now search for the second book.
Thanks again!
coolnames
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"Can anyone remember when the Gnat first entered RAF service?"
Great thread, Gentlemen: thank you; memories have come flooding back. I was a Radar Tech posted to the Gnat Flight at Rissington in - probably - February,1962, and there were two, maybe three there at that time. The "ultra-modern" crew room - out on the pan was also under construction. The Gnats were painted with the early dayglo nose, tips and tail - and in fact the first ones may have even had the yellow band scheme. Too long ago I'm afraid. I remember a number of flights with the outstanding Bill Loverseed, night flying at Thorney Island, Gaydon and Valley - where I think an electrical failure put the co's aircraft into the water during an aborted go-around. Also instructing was a Flt. Lt. Yardley, but alas, no other names come to mind. Formation aerobatics, along with a regular 'first-off' beat-up became the norm through '63 - and in fact, as the newer, full cover dayglo scheme became applied we regarded ourselves as "The Red Arrows" and our 'competition' was the Red Pelican team - the JP5's also at Rissy, and not Ray H. and the YellowJacks. I was not fortunate enough to remain, being posted overseas in '64, but I certainly enjoyed the experience!
Great thread, Gentlemen: thank you; memories have come flooding back. I was a Radar Tech posted to the Gnat Flight at Rissington in - probably - February,1962, and there were two, maybe three there at that time. The "ultra-modern" crew room - out on the pan was also under construction. The Gnats were painted with the early dayglo nose, tips and tail - and in fact the first ones may have even had the yellow band scheme. Too long ago I'm afraid. I remember a number of flights with the outstanding Bill Loverseed, night flying at Thorney Island, Gaydon and Valley - where I think an electrical failure put the co's aircraft into the water during an aborted go-around. Also instructing was a Flt. Lt. Yardley, but alas, no other names come to mind. Formation aerobatics, along with a regular 'first-off' beat-up became the norm through '63 - and in fact, as the newer, full cover dayglo scheme became applied we regarded ourselves as "The Red Arrows" and our 'competition' was the Red Pelican team - the JP5's also at Rissy, and not Ray H. and the YellowJacks. I was not fortunate enough to remain, being posted overseas in '64, but I certainly enjoyed the experience!
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Gnat photo's
For anyone looking for more Gnat photo's, I have been in contact with Follands Test Pilot Mike Oliver, who says he has a lot and will produce them shortly.
On the subject of seat trials, Mike confirms there was a real live human test, fired from a modified Meteor 7; the pilot was Dick Whittington, but the name of the subject is lost for now.
Mike was flying alongside with a photographer in another Meteor 7.
On the subject of seat trials, Mike confirms there was a real live human test, fired from a modified Meteor 7; the pilot was Dick Whittington, but the name of the subject is lost for now.
Mike was flying alongside with a photographer in another Meteor 7.
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Paul_J, being a bit of a book-worm if you're looking for memories of "rizzy" get yourself a copy of: RAF Little Rissington, The Central Flying School Years 1946 - 1976 (ISBN 1 84415 381 9).
and
Double Zero,
Wait with eager anticipation for Mike Oliver's photo's. When you're in touch next congratulate him on developing such an inspirational little jet, love-um
Cheers, PFR
and
Double Zero,
Wait with eager anticipation for Mike Oliver's photo's. When you're in touch next congratulate him on developing such an inspirational little jet, love-um
Cheers, PFR
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Here is the latest offering from Mike Oliver; he's very busy but let's hope he has time to supply more pictures, I have also mentioned more than once a book or at least a description of testing & developing the Gnat / Midge by him here on Pprune would be welcomed !.
A shot of the Midge supplied by Mike, as he says it had a Viper with about a third of the thrust of an Orpheus, with consequently smaller intakes & tailipipe.
A shot of the Midge supplied by Mike, as he says it had a Viper with about a third of the thrust of an Orpheus, with consequently smaller intakes & tailipipe.
Paul J,
It is coincidence that you mentioned the Red Arrows and the Red Pelicans in the same paragraph. The Melbourne based company, Xjet, operates JP5 XW295 (former Red Pelican Leader's aircraft) and is restoring to flight Gnat XS101 (former Red Arrows leader's aircraft).
Perhaps you dealt with both of them?
It is coincidence that you mentioned the Red Arrows and the Red Pelicans in the same paragraph. The Melbourne based company, Xjet, operates JP5 XW295 (former Red Pelican Leader's aircraft) and is restoring to flight Gnat XS101 (former Red Arrows leader's aircraft).
Perhaps you dealt with both of them?
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It is coincidence that you mentioned the Red Arrows and the Red Pelicans in the same paragraph.
Perhaps you dealt with both of them?
Perhaps you dealt with both of them?
No, 'fraid those numbers are too new, or at least - don't ring any bells.. I seem to remember the first series being XP 500 through 505 in '62, followed by three or four XM 705 through 709, perhaps in '63. I think one of the 500 series was absent, but not sure.
Double zero,
The Meteor 7 ejection seat testee was Major TW (Dumbo) Willans. The test was described in Flight,6 Jan 56, page 11.
(I can recommend his autobiography, "Panic takes time" as an entertaining read).
The Meteor 7 ejection seat testee was Major TW (Dumbo) Willans. The test was described in Flight,6 Jan 56, page 11.
(I can recommend his autobiography, "Panic takes time" as an entertaining read).
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XR537 (G-NATY) based here in B/mth was back in the air yesterday for the first time in a couple of years.
Lovely to see it flying around again and still wearing it's old Red Arrows scheme.
Lovely to see it flying around again and still wearing it's old Red Arrows scheme.
