Folland Gnat Prototype (G-39-2) on take off run in 1955 The Folland Gnat fighter, designed by W.E.W. (Teddy) Petter, was the result of a private venture development of the Folland Midge and the prototype (G-39-2) first flew on 18th July 1955.

Simple engineering was a key feature of the design, eliminating the need for sophisticated machinery in the manufacturing process and allowing for production in less industrialised countries. Despite successful evaluation however, no substantial orders were forthcoming from the British Government who favoured the Hawker Hunter for the RAF.

The Gnat fighter saw a small amount of service in Finland, India and Yugoslavia in its F1 & FR1 variants and although a F3 & F4 development was planned, these were never built.Greater success was seen with the 2 seat Gnat trainer after the take-over of the company by Hawker Siddeley and at last the production turned towards reasonable numbers (105 Fo144's were built) with orders coming from the Ministry of Aviation between 1960 and 1962.In all, 449 airframes bearing the Gnat designation were built in 6 main variants plus the HAL Ajeet fighter and trainer, built under licence in India.

Folland Gnat in service with the RAF Red Arrows

The Gnat is probably most famous however as being the aircraft of choice for the world-famous RAF Display Team, The Red Arrows who flew Folland Gnats at air displays and show around the world before finally switching to BAe Hawk in 1979.

Folland Gnat Image Gallery of Folland Gnat Prototype Folland Gnat Prototype (G-39-2) air to air in 1955 The images on this site are the property of BAE Systems (Copyright © 2020 BAE Systems. All rights reserved) Folland Gnat T1 Folland Gnat T1 (XM700) The images on this site are the property of BAE Systems (Copyright © 2020 BAE Systems. All rights reserved) Folland Gnat Folland Gnat (XK740) air to air The images on this site are the property of BAE Systems (Copyright © 2020 BAE Systems. All rights reserved) Folland Gnat RAF Folland Gnat RAF (XM706) & AN Other The images on this site are the property of BAE Systems (Copyright © 2020 BAE Systems. All rights reserved)