Airfix Hawker Siddeley GNAT 1/72 Scale

First flown on July 18th 1955, the Gnat was intended as a lightweight fighter for smaller airforces around the world, however it is as a training aircraft that it became to be best known. The RAF ordered 105 trainers and they entered service at the Central Flying School in 1962.

In 1964 the Red Arrows were formed as an elite aerobatic team flying nine Gnats (with one in reserve), and they have performed at airshows all over the world. Export sales were to Finland (13), Yugoslavia (2) and India (40), where the aircraft was named ‘Ajeet’ when it was manufactured by Hindustan Aircraft who made a further 175 units.

India used the aircraft as a fighter in a war with Pakistan. Powered by a Bristol Siddeley Orpheus 100 single spool turbojet of 4,320 pounds static thrust, the aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 0.97 in level flight (one Finnish aircraft was flown faster than mach 1), and a range of 600 miles.

Model Kit Review:
http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Reviews/60s/gnat-redarrows.htm
http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Reviews/60s/hawk-t1a_48.htm
http://modelingmadness.com/reviews/mod/marshallhawkpreview.htm

Additional Information:
http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/gnat/history.html
http://www.warbirdalley.com/gnat.htm
http://www.vectorsite.net/avgnat.html
http://www.answers.com/topic/bae-hawk