Folland Gnat T.1 XR534 NAHR – Significant
In Hanger Two, accompanying its contemporary trainer fighters, a silent Folland Gnat stands as an example of a little-known movie buff fact. Four privately owned Folland Gnat T.1s took part in the 1991 American Charlie Sheen/Lloyd Bridges comedy film Hot Shots, which satirised Tom Cruise’s film Top Gun, that itself celebrates forty years this year. By Jan McGeachie
Folland Gnat T.1 is a British compact swept wing subsonic fighter aircraft developed as a trainer aircraft and produced as part of a private venture by Folland Aircraft. It was designed by W E W [Teddy] Petter, who was also associated with the Westland Whirlwind fighter and English Electric Canberra.
The FO141 single seat fighter first flew on 18th July 1955 but failed to gain orders from RAF. However, it went on to serve in India, Finland and Yugoslavia for their pilots. After the design was modified to a two seat version, the MOD initially ordered 14, the first production model XM691 flew from Chilbolton on 31st August 1959. An order for a further 105 aircraft eventually followed. The first aircraft were delivered in February 1962 to the Central Flying School (CFS) at RAF Little Rissington and to 4 Flying Training School (FTS) at RAF Valley.
Although never used as a RAF fighter, instructors and student pilots alike loved this small aircraft for its sensitive handling and high manoeuvrability. The Gnat became well known in 1964, when a group of RAF Valley flying instructors, led by Flt Lt Lee Jones, formed the Yellowjacks aerobatic team, that flew all yellow painted Gnats.
The team reformed in 1965 as the Red Arrows who operated the Gnat until 1979 as the RAF’s aerobatic team. The team later received their first Hawk in August 1979, and they converted their entire team from the Gnat to Hawks in time for the 1980 display season.
Having graduated from basic flight training on the Jet Provost, pilots typically had three options: fast jets, multi-engined, or helicopters. Fast jet pilots were posted to RAF Valley for advanced training on the Gnat T.1, typically this saw 70 hours of flying before moving on to operational training using the Hawker Hunter.
Following the introduction of the Hawk, Gnats were withdrawn from service. 4 FTS retired its last Gnat in November 1978. Many retired Gnats were delivered to No 1 School of Technical Training at RAF Halton, for use as ground training airframes or sold off. Some bought by private operators are still flying.
XR534 was built at Hamble as part of a twenty strong batch and issued with construction number FL544. First flown on 24th May 1963, it was declared ready for collection from Folland Chilbolton test airfield on 28th June 1963 and entered service with the CFS at Little Rissington on 5th July 1963, replacing the Vampire T.11 as the RAF advanced high-speed trainer.
With a twin seat, tandem configuration the Gnat T.1 had a length of 31 feet 9 inches; and a wingspan of 24 feet 0 inches. Powered by a single Bristol Siddeley Orpheus 101 engine it could reach maximum speed of 636 mph at 31,000 feet, and had a range of 1,180 miles with its in-built wing tanks.
XR534 flew without incident until 5th March 1964 when following a flying accident, repair work was undertaken by a team from No 71 RAF Bicester. This was completed on 14th April 1964 and it returned to flying duties. Its flying career continued until 7th April 1969 when it went to Dunsfold for reconditioning work; returning to service on 20th October 1969 at Little Rissington. XR534 again returned to Dunsfold the following year for repair on 14th May 1970, as victim of a flying incident. It was transferred by road to the factory, repaired and joined 4 FTS 16th November 1973.
Accident repairs were again undertaken by No 71 MU in January 1974 and it was then flown to No 5 MU at RAF Kemble for completion for its major service. This included a total re paint into the new Support Command red and white and grey colour scheme prior to re-joining 4 FTS on 14th March 1974.
Apart from a brief loan, XR534 remained with No 4 FTS for the remainder of its operational flying life until April 1977 when it was grounded. Originally destined for spares recovery, XR534 was retired to Gate Guardian duties at RAF Valley in December 1977, carrying the maintenance serial 8578M.
A Gnat had been a long-term acquisition target for the museum for more than fifteen years. The surprising part of the story arose when it was secured from a local source; having been stored in the Newark area since the RAF disposed of it in the late 1990s.
The purchase of XR534 was made possible thanks to Assistance of Resource via the Science Museum PRISM Grant Fund, which contributed towards the project cost in the form of a 50% grant. Contributions from museum members and members of the public made up the cost difference. The Gnat fuselage arrived at the museum on 2nd December 2000, and the wings arrived a week later.
A condition of the PRISM Grant was that the aircraft remains inside and it formed a long-term restoration project for the museum’s volunteers.
Photo credit Howard Heeley