The Folland Gnat is a British compact swept-wing subsonic fighter aircraft that was developed and produced by Folland Aircraft. Envisioned as an affordable light fighter in contrast to the rising cost and size of typical combat aircraft, it was procured as a trainer aircraft for the Royal Air Force (RAF) as well as by export customers, who used the Gnat in both combat and training capacities.
Designed by W. E. W. Petter, the Gnat has its origins in the preceding private venture Folland Midge. The issuing of Operational Requirement OR.303 by the British Air Ministry served to motivate the type's development; the Gnat was later submitted to meet this requirement. Its design allowed for its construction and maintenance tasks to be carried out without specialised tools, making it suitable for use in countries that had not yet become highly industrialised.
Variants[]
- Fo.140 Gnat: Private-venture prototype fighter, one built.
- Fo.141 Gnat:
- Gnat F.1: Single seat lightweight fighter exported to Finland, India and Yugoslavia, 50 built by Folland at Hamble.
- Gnat FR.1: One aircraft for Finland was built with three nose-mounted 70mm Vinten cameras and designated FR.1, it was joined by a Ministry of Supply aircraft purchased by Folland and modified to the same standard. Both aircraft were delivered to Finland on October 12th 1960.
- Fo.142 Gnat/Gnat F.2: This variant was an improved Gnat F.1 using a wing with a 6% thickness-to-chord ratio and powered by a Bristol Orpheus with simplified reheat (BOr.12SR), developing 8000 lbF (35.6 kN) thrust. The Gnat F.2 was capable of achieving Mach 1.5 and had a significantly improved rate of climb over the Gnat F.1.
- Fo.143 Gnat/Gnat F.4: Variant of the F.2 with air intercept RDF and the ability to carry guided weapons.
- Fo.144 Gnat Trainer/Gnat T.1: Two-seat advanced trainer aircraft based on the Gnat F.4 for the Royal Air Force.
- Gnat F.5/Gnat T.2: Proposed development from January 1960, with larger wing (and flap) area. It was to be powered by two Rolls-Royce RB153 engines with reheat. The design was capable of operating from aircraft carriers. The Gnat F.5/T.2 would serve as the basis for the HAL Ajeet.
- Fo.146: This was a two-seat design with variable geometry wings based on a combination of the Gnat Mk5 and the Gnat Trainer. It was to be powered by two Rolls-Royce RB153 engines with reheat and thrust-reversers. it was to be produced as either an advanced trainer with weapons capability or as a fighter.
- HAL Ajeet: Indian development of the Gnat F.5 built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
- HAL Ajeet Trainer: Two-seat tandem trainer version for the Royal Indian Air Force. This version was derived from the HAL Ajeet and differed considerably from the Gnat T.2 used by the RAF.