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Fighter / Attack:
   Bell P-39 Airacobra
   Bell P-63 Kingcobra
   Brewster Buffalo
   Chance-Vought F-4U Corsair
   Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
   Curtiss SB2C Helldiver
   Douglas A-1 Skyraider
   Douglas A-26 Invader
   Douglas SBD Dauntless
   Fairey Firefly
   Focke-Wulf Fw 190
   Grumman F4F Wildcat
   Grumman F6F Hellcat
   Grumman F7F Tigercat
   Grumman F8F Bearcat
   Grumman TBF Avenger
   Hawker Hurricane
   Hawker Sea Fury
   Lockheed P-38 Lightning
   Messerschmitt Bf-109
   Mitsubishi A6M Zero-Sen
   North American P-51 Mustang

   Polikarpov I-16
   Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
   Supermarine Spitfire
   Yakovlev Yak-3
   Yakovlev Yak-9


Trainers:
  
Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan (C-45)
   Beechcraft T-34 Mentor
   Boeing / Stearman PT-17

   Commonwealth CA-25 Winjeel
   Commonwealth CA-1 Wirraway
   DeHavilland DHC-1 Chipmunk
   DeHavilland DH-82 Tiger Moth
   Fairchild PT-19 Cornell
   Hunting / Percival Provost
   Meyers OTW
   Nanchang CJ-6
   Naval Aircraft Factory N3N
   N. Am. BT-9 / BT-14 / Yale
   N. Am. T-6 Texan / SNJ / Harvard
   N. American T-28 Trojan

   Piaggio P149
   Ryan PT-22 Recruit

   Scottish Aviation T1 Bulldog
   Vultee BT-13 Valiant
   Yakovlev Yak-11
   Yakovlev Yak-18
   Yakovlev Yak-52


Bombers:
   Avro Lancaster
   Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
   Boeing B-29 Superfortress
   Bristol Blenheim / Bolingbroke
   Consolidated B-24 Liberator
   Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer

   Douglas A-3 Skywarrior
   DeHavilland Mosquito
   Fairey Swordfish
   Heinkel He-111 / Casa 2.111

   Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon / Ventura
   Martin B-26 Marauder
   North American B-25 Mitchell


Transports:
   Beechcraft C-45 (AT-11)

   Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter (KC-97)
   Curtiss C-46 Commando
   Douglas C-47 Skytrain / Dakota
   Douglas C-54 Skymaster

   Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
   Fairchild C-123 Provider
   Grumman C-1 Trader (S-2)
   Lockheed C-60 Lodestar
   Lockheed C-69 Constellation


Utility / Observation / Special Duty:
   Aeronca L-3 Grasshopper
   Aeronca L-16 Grasshopper
   Antonov AN-2 Colt
   Auster AOP 6/9
   Avro 652 Anson
   Avro Shackleton
   British Taylorcraft I-V
   Cessna L-19 / O-1 Bird Dog
   Cessna O-2 Super Skymaster
   Cessna T-50 / UC-78 Bobcat
   Consolidated PBY Catalina

   DeHavilland U-6A / L-20 Beaver
   Fairey Gannet
   Fairey Swordfish
   Fieseler Fi156 Storch
   Grumman S-2 Tracker (C-1)
   Grumman HU-16 Albatross
   Grumman OV-1 Mohawk
   Junkers Ju 52/3m

   Lockheed P2V Neptune
   Max Holste M.H.1521 Broussard
   Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun

   Noorduyn UC-64 Norseman
   North American L-17 Navion
   N. Am./ Rockwell OV-10 Bronco
   Piper L-4 Grasshopper
   Stinson L-5 Sentinel
   Taylorcraft L-2 Grasshopper
   Westland Lysander


Jets:
   Aero L-29 Delfin
   Aero L-39 Albatros
   Aermacchi MB-326
   Avro Vulcan
   BAC Strikemaster
   Blackburn (BAC) Buccaneer
   Canadair Tutor
   Cessna A-37 Dragonfly
   DeHavilland Vampire
   DeHavilland Venom
   English Electric Canberra
   English Electric Lightning
   Folland Gnat
   Fouga CM-170 Magister
   Gloster Meteor
   Grumman F9F Panther
   Hawker Hunter
   Hispano HA-200 Saeta
   Hunting Jet Provost
   Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
   Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star
   McDonnell-Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
   McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom
   Messerschmitt Me-262
   Mikoyan MiG-15
   Mikoyan MiG-17
   Mikoyan MiG-21
   N. Am. F-86 Sabre / FJ-4 Fury
   N. Am. F-100 Super Sabre
   N. Am. / Rockwell T-2 Buckeye
   Northrop T-38 Talon / F-5
   PZL / WSK TS-11 Iskra
   Saab J35 Draken
   Soko G-2A Galeb
   Temco Pinto & Super Pinto


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Fairey Gannet

(Variants/Other Names: See History below)



(Photo provided by Shannan Hendricks, owner of Gannet XT752.)

History: Britain’s near-catastrophic experiences with German U-boats during World War Two led to increased awareness and respect for anti-submarine warfare (ASW). In 1945 a challenging naval specification for a carrier-based ASW/strike aircraft was issued. Ten years of design and development led to the adoption of the Fairey Gannet, a highly successful three-man aircraft built around a most unusual engine.

The Armstrong-Siddeley Double Mamba coupled turboprop engine boasted two independent power sections driving separate propellers. After both sections were used in the crucial take-off phase, one could be shut down to extend range and patrol time. Additionally, the engine could refuel from its aircraft carriers' own diesel fuel bunker, eliminating special aviation gas tanks on board. Fully armed with torpedoes, depth charges or rockets the plane had a maximum speed of 311 mph and a 662 nautical mile range.

Fully ten years after the initial specification, the Fairey Gannet reached the active fleet, in service with HMS Illustrious, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Eagle. Eventually, 255 of the up-rated version (Gannet AS Mk4) satisfied the Fleet Air Arms’ need to replace aging Fireflies and Avengers.

In 1958, the first prototype of the Gannet AEW Mk3 reached the fleet, fulfilling the need for an airborne early warning aircraft. The Mk3 incorporated major re-designs including a new fuselage and longer undercarriage to allow for a radome. The problems of fixed-wing aircraft on small decks led to the Gannet’s replacement by Wessex helicopters in the 1970’s, but a number have survived in museums. One survivor, a two-seat T5 model, flies in the USA (see Links below).

Nicknames: Unknown

Specifications (AS.Mk I):
        Engine: One 2,950-shp Armstrong Siddeley Double-Mamba 100 turboprop
        Weight: Empty 15,069 lbs., Max Takeoff 21,600 lbs.
        Wing Span: 54ft. 4in.
        Length: 43ft. 0in.
        Height: 13ft. 8.5in.
        Performance:
            Maximum Speed: 310 mph
            Ceiling: 25,000 ft.
            Range: 943 miles
        Armament: Up to approximately 2,000 pounds of torpedoes, depth charges and
            sonobuoys in bomb bay; plus underwing hardpoints for rockets.

Number Built: ~414

Number Still Airworthy: One, with at least two more restorations possible.

Links:
Fairey Gannet AEW.3
Gannet XT752 (N752XT) -- The world's last flying Gannet!  [ Facebook page ]
Gatwick Aviation Museum: Gannet page
Greg Goebel's Gannet page
"Thunder and Lightnings" Gannet Page -- Everything you'll ever need to know about the Gannet.
Virtual Aviation Museum: Gannet

 

Fairey Gannet book from Amazon.com:

 

 



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