British Folland ''Gnat'' Fighter Jet

By Crusader1307

Envisioned as a low-cost alternate Fighter to the ever developing 1st Generation Fighters of The British Royal Air Force, The 1955 Production Model by Folland Aircraft called The ''Gnat'' (and it's variations), became an effective Jet Fighter Trainer, which would last into 1979. Cheap to maintain, with replacement parts plentiful and easy to procure, The ''Gnat'' became popular with those Counties attempting to develop their own ''Air Force'' Branch. Seeing active Combat during The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 (with The Indian Air Force), The ''Gnat'' fared well again The Pakistani ''Saber'' Class of imported Fighters. (11) Variants were put forth by Folland. Many flying examples (privately owned), still ''dart the skies'' – especially at International Air Shows. Piloted by (2), The Folland ''Gnat'' was 30-feet in length with a swept-wing pattern wingspan of 22-feet. Powered by a Single Bristol-Siddeley ''Orpheus'' Turbo Jet, this could produce over 7,000-IBF of Thrust. Capable of achieving Mach 0.95 (695-mph). Able to range 500-miles, The ''Gnat'' had an operational ceiling of 48,000-feet. When deployed, The ''Gnat'' supported (2) 30mm Cannon and could support either (18) 3-inch Rockets (underwing mounted) or (2) 500-pound Bombs.