Hawker Siddeley Gnat T1
Serial Number:
XR977
Period:
Post-WWII
Collection Ref: 85/A/146
Location: RAF Museum Cosford, Transport & Training
Derived from a single seat fighter project an example
of which is also displayed at Cosford the Gnat provided advanced flying
training for RAF fast jet pilots in the 1960s and 1970s.
The Gnat first flew in August 1959 and the type entered service with the
Central Flying School in February 1962. It was intended to replace the
Vampire as an advanced trainer for pilots who would fly jet fighters and
bombers, combining high performance with the handling qualities required
for effective instruction. A total of 105 Gnats served with the RAF and
the final group of pilots trained on the Gnat graduated from No.4 Flying
Training School on 24 November 1978.
Its aerobatic qualities led to the formation of the Yellowjacks aerobatic
team in 1964, leading to the foundation of the world famous Red Arrows
the following year. The team flew their red Gnats for fourteen years until
they were replaced by the British Aerospace Hawk at the end of the 1979
season.
