The Fairey Gannet is a carrier-borne aircraft that was designed and produced by the British aircraft manufacturer the Fairey Aviation Company. It was developed for the Royal Navy, being the first fixed-wing aircraft to combine both the search and strike portions of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations.
I've long had a soft spot in my heart for the Gannet. It was an innovative solution to some complex problems.
ReplyDeleteAfter WWII the Royal Navy had no money to build bigger carriers with bigger elevators because Britain was broke. The Gannet was built to fit the RN's existing carriers. High powered propeller planes tend to steer to one side on takeoff which is dangerous on a carrier. The Gannet has two turboprops each driving a propeller in opposite directions so it takes off straight. To save fuel pilots would shut down one engine and feather its prop.
ReplyDeleteNot so sure that this was the first RN aircraft to both search for and attack submarines. Fairey Swordfish were given surface search radar to find U-boats late in the war.
Al_in_Ottawa