Folland-Hawker Siddeley Gnat T.1 & Redifon 101 Simulator, Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum, Flixton.
This is one of three Gnat simulators known to have been built, the other survivor is with the Newark Air Museum. It was fully restored by the Boulton Paul Association members, who added the nose and and a Red Arrows sound system.
The Redifon 101 Simulator used an analogue computer to produce a ''standard simulator''. Unfortunately digital computers arrived very quickly, making analogue obsolete. A small batch was built for the RAF, representing a Jet Provost Mk.V from one seat and a deHavilland 125 from the other seat. The simulator was given to the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum by the Imperial War Museum Duxford, it is unfortunate that the hydraulic powerpack, frequently convertor for a 400 cycle supply and documentation are all missing.
Development of the single-seat lightweight Gnat fighter was started as a private venture by the the former Folland Aircraft Company in 1951. The RAF did not adopt it as a fighter, however, they did use it as a two-seat transonic advanced trainer. Fourteen were ordered in 1958, and total orders reached 105 by 1965. The Gnat entered service in 1962 and by the end of that year had superceded the Vampire T.11 trainer as the RAF's standard advanced trainer. Export sales were achieved, especially to the Indian Air Force, and it is thought that the simulator may have come from there.
The Gnat found fame with it's aerobatic capabilities, firstly with the RAF 's ''Yellow Jackets'' display team who displayed in 1964, and then the ''Red Arrows'' making their first appearance in 1965. The Gnat's more versatile replacement, the Hawker Siddeley Hawk, entered service in 1978, although the Red Arrows did not upgrade to the new type until 1980.
▪︎Wing Span: 24ft 0in
▪︎Length: 31ft 9in
▪︎Height: 8ft 7in
▪︎Powerplant: Bristol Orpheus 100
▪︎Range: 1,180 miles
▪︎Maximum Speed: 695 mph
Generously gifted to the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum by Boulton Paul Associates.
(Information from the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum)
Folland-Hawker Siddeley Gnat T.1 & Redifon 101 Simulator, Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum, Flixton.
This is one of three Gnat simulators known to have been built, the other survivor is with the Newark Air Museum. It was fully restored by the Boulton Paul Association members, who added the nose and and a Red Arrows sound system.
The Redifon 101 Simulator used an analogue computer to produce a ''standard simulator''. Unfortunately digital computers arrived very quickly, making analogue obsolete. A small batch was built for the RAF, representing a Jet Provost Mk.V from one seat and a deHavilland 125 from the other seat. The simulator was given to the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum by the Imperial War Museum Duxford, it is unfortunate that the hydraulic powerpack, frequently convertor for a 400 cycle supply and documentation are all missing.
Development of the single-seat lightweight Gnat fighter was started as a private venture by the the former Folland Aircraft Company in 1951. The RAF did not adopt it as a fighter, however, they did use it as a two-seat transonic advanced trainer. Fourteen were ordered in 1958, and total orders reached 105 by 1965. The Gnat entered service in 1962 and by the end of that year had superceded the Vampire T.11 trainer as the RAF's standard advanced trainer. Export sales were achieved, especially to the Indian Air Force, and it is thought that the simulator may have come from there.
The Gnat found fame with it's aerobatic capabilities, firstly with the RAF 's ''Yellow Jackets'' display team who displayed in 1964, and then the ''Red Arrows'' making their first appearance in 1965. The Gnat's more versatile replacement, the Hawker Siddeley Hawk, entered service in 1978, although the Red Arrows did not upgrade to the new type until 1980.
▪︎Wing Span: 24ft 0in
▪︎Length: 31ft 9in
▪︎Height: 8ft 7in
▪︎Powerplant: Bristol Orpheus 100
▪︎Range: 1,180 miles
▪︎Maximum Speed: 695 mph
Generously gifted to the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum by Boulton Paul Associates.
(Information from the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum)