Mr Petter's Baby Jet - The Folland Gnat
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Cloud9
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mr Petter's Baby Jet - The Folland Gnat
Having seen the interest (not to mention thread drift!) on the F-104 thread, regarding the Folland Gnat, I would like to launch this thread, dedicated to my first 'real' aeroplane as a rigger youth at 4FTS in the early '70s.
I'm sure many pilots/groundcrew out there have recollections to share about this demanding jet!
HB
I'm sure many pilots/groundcrew out there have recollections to share about this demanding jet!
HB
Much loved in the IAF (and by the general public) after its performance in the '71 war, earning it the nickname 'Sabre Killer'. My great uncle retired a year before it was inducted in the IAF. He told me his single biggest regret was not having flown it.
Halton Brat, just type 'Gnat' into the advanced search option and you'll find plenty of tales of the Folland Pocket Rocket!
Don't forget that well-known Ynys Mon firm of solicitors - Speed, Trim and Unlock.
I'm convinced that the chap who designed the Gnat's longitudinal control system knew he was going to be fired, so decided to get his own back by designing a system of such fiendish complexity.
Don't forget that well-known Ynys Mon firm of solicitors - Speed, Trim and Unlock.
I'm convinced that the chap who designed the Gnat's longitudinal control system knew he was going to be fired, so decided to get his own back by designing a system of such fiendish complexity.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flew them as a stude in '66 on 25 course and then QFI on them from 73 - 77. An ideal aircraft to learn about swept wing handling characteristics but remember spending an awful lot of time practising flying in manual reversion mode in case of an hydraulic failure which I didn't suffer in 1300+ hours on the pocket rocket.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Cloud9
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I was a Hawk tech instructor in 4FTS Ground School ('83-85), the DCGI (Flt Lt Tony D-----) related an incident to me of his early days on the Gnat as a QFI. I can't remember the precise details, but he ended up at night circling overhead the Menai Straits with the stick planted hard in the dashboard, due to some bizarre configuration he had got himself into with his pitch controls. An emotional radio chat with the Duty Instructor in Valley ATC resolved the issue, fortunately.
Any opinions on the likely cause?
Are you out there, Tony D?
HB
Any opinions on the likely cause?
Are you out there, Tony D?
HB
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: East Midlands
Age: 84
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you mean Tony D**le yes he is - I had a beer and lunch in a pub with him a couple of years ago. I had a great time instructing at Valley (64 - 66). Loads of aircraft, 3 students and no poxy secondary duties! I got 440 hours in one 12 month period, basically 50 minute sorties, and I was beaten by the late Bruce Latton. I have lost touch with my main students Marcus Wills, "Taff" Hughes and Tony Ellender. Any ideas anybody?
Any opinions on the likely cause?
Slow down until the stick was 'load free central', reselect the HYD power cock ON, relock the elevators and it should be OK?
Please would a Gnat QFI comment - I was a mere struggling student! But I'd been advised that it was vital to understand the longitudinal control system fully and to know the STUPRECC drill so that you could recite it word perfect at any time of day or night. Screw it up and at best you'd have to eject......
Last edited by BEagle; 9th Aug 2011 at 19:05.
I'm sure I remember someone from that era telling me that the Lightning was a good lead-in trainer for the Gnat...