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[[image:Fairey_Gannet_RAN_882.jpg|thumb|300px|Fairey Gannet AS.1 of the Royal Australian Navy.]]
The '''Fairey Gannet''' is a [[aircraft carrier|carrier-borne]] [[Anti-submarine warfare]] and [[Airborne Early Warning]] aircraft of the immediate post [[World War II]]-era developed for the [[Royal Navy]] [[Fleet Air Arm]]. It has a conventional monoplane mid-wing and tricycle undercarriage. The [[aviator|pilot]] sits over the [[gas turbine engine]] atop the [[fuselage]] and behind the double, co-axial, contra-rotating [[propellor]]s; the one (or two) crew sit in additional cockpit stations behind the pilot. The second crew member sat in a separate fuselage "bubble" facing the tail.

The Gannet's wings fold in two places to form a distinctive Z shape on each side. The first fold is at about 1/3 of the wing length where the inboard [[anhedral]] (down-sweep) changes to the outboard [[dihedral]] (up-sweep) of the wing . The second wing fold is at about 2/3 of the wing length. 

The length of the nose wheel oleo strut causes the Gannet to have a distinctive nose-high attitude, a common characteristic of carrier aircraft. 

The Gannet has been called "the ugliest aircraft in the world". 

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==History==
'''Development'''. The Gannet was built in response to the [[1945 in aviation|1945]] [[Admiralty]] requirement GR.17/45, for which prototypes by [[Fairey Aviation|Fairey]] ("Type Q") and [[Blackburn B-54 / B-88]] ("YB.1") were built. The prototype first flew on [[19 September]], [[1949 in aviation|1949]] and made the first deck landing by a [[turboprop]] aircraft, on [[HMS Illustrious (R87)|HMS ''Illustrious'']] on [[19 June]] [[1950 in aviation|1950]], by pilot Lieutenant Commander G. Callingham. After a further change in operational requirements, with the addition of a radar and extra crew member, the type entered production in [[1953 in aviation|1953]] and initial deliveries were made of the '''AS.1''' variant at [[RNAS Ford]] in April [[1954 in aviation|1954]]. A trainer variant ('''T.2''') first flew in August [[1954 in aviation|1954]]. The RN's first operational Gannet squadron ([[No. 826 Squadron FAA|826]]) was embarked on [[HMS Eagle (R05)|HMS ''Eagle'']]. The initial order was for 100 aircraft. The total built is reported to be 441.

'''Operational history'''. An [[Airborne Early Warning]] variant ('''AEW.3''') used the AN/APS 20 radar in a bulbous radome suspended beneath the body. This variant first flew in August [[1958 in aviation|1958]], with trials carried out with [[HMS Centaur (R06)|HMS ''Centaur'']] in November. For stability, it required a redesigned fin and rudder together with the small vertical fins on the tailplane fitted to the other versions.

By mid-1960, the AS.1s and AS.4s were replaced by the [[Westland Whirlwind (rotary wing)|Westland Whirlwind HAS7]] with some Gannets continuing as an [[Electronic countermeasures]] '''ECM.6''' variant. Some AS.4s were also converted as '''COD.4'''s for [[Carrier onboard delivery]]. These were extended in service until finally scrapped, with the radars re-used in the [[Royal Air Force]] [[Avro Shackleton]]s.

The Gannet was sold into service with the [[Royal Australian Navy]] (AS.1 - 36 aircraft) flying from the [[aircraft carrier]] [[HMAS Melbourne (1945)|HMAS ''Melbourne'']] and the shore base [[HMAS Albatross (air station)|HMAS ''Albatross'']] near [[Nowra]], [[New South Wales]]. The [[German Navy]] bought the AS.4 and T.5 variants. [[Indonesia]] bought some AS.4 and T.5 variants (re-modelled from RN AS.1s and T.2s), in [[1959 in aviation|1959]]. Some Gannets were later acquired by various other countries including [[Czechoslovakia]] and [[Chile]].

'''Markings'''. (See photos) The Gannet is mostly seen in the distinctive [[pastel]] green fuselage colour, with highlights of darker (olive) green on the top and sides of the fuselage running from the nose behind the propellor boss in a straight line to then curve and join the line of the vertical stabiliser (tail). The wings are also painted in the darker green. Side numbers are typically painted on the side of the fuselage ahead of the wing; roundel and service markings are behind the wing. 

[[Image:Duxford_UK_Feb2005_FaireyGannet.JPG|thumb|300px|Fairey Gannet AS6 at the [[Imperial War Museum Duxford]]]]

==Engine==
After considering and discounting the [[Rolls-Royce Merlin]] (actually, twin Merlins) due to size, the Fairey decided to install an engine plant based on the [[Armstrong Siddeley Motors|Armstrong-Siddeley]] Mamba. A [[Armstrong Siddeley Double Mamba|Double Mamba]] (also commonly called the "Twin Mamba") was selected, driving two counter-rotating [[propellor]]s through a common [[gearbox]]. 

The ASMD.1 engines (2,950hp) were used in the AS.1, ASMD.3 engines (3,145hp) inn the AS.4, and ASMD.4 (3,875hp) in the AEW.3 variant. 

The Double Mamba engine could be cruised with one of the engines stopped, to conserve fuel and extend endurance. It has been said by pilots that, while this was possible, it was inadvisable at low altitude -- in case the operating engine stopped for some reason. This happened frequently enough to be a 'known fault', and created considerable ''dis''quiet for the crew while that or the other engine was restarted. 

==Airframe and Handling Issues==
At least one Gannet accident was attributed to the vibration from the engine causing fatigue cracking of the tail, to the extent that the tail separated inflight.

There is no known case of the tailplane separating in flight in RN service . Fatigue cracking of the tailplane attachment frame occurred on a number of AS Mk 1 and T2 aircraft due to buffet in the flaps up stall. In the worst case one tailplane attachment fitting broke away allowing the tailplane to move in roll several degrees. The aircraft landed safely. The attachment frames of all aircraft were extensively reinforced after this incident.


==External links==
* [http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/gannet/ Gannet details]
* [http://web.ukonline.co.uk/fairey.gannet/ Fairey Gannet Owners Club (UK)]
* [http://www.faaaa.asn.au/pictures/aircraft/gannet.htm Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia - Gannet]
* [http://www.warbirdalley.com/gannet.htm Warbird Alley - Gannet]
* [http://www.aoxj32.dsl.pipex.com/Graphics/Gallery/doublemamba.gif Double Mamba photo (112kB)]
* [http://www.aoxj32.dsl.pipex.com/index.html British Jet Engines]

== Copyright ==
"Original data received from Wikipedia on April 11, 2006. Credit given to original authors can be seen [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fairey_Gannet&action=history Here]."


[[Category:Military Aircraft]]