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Aviation History
1956
1956 - 1212.PDF
358 FLIGHT, 31 August 1956 THE FAIREY AVIATION CO., LTD. Hayes, Middx. Telephone: Hayes 3800 Gannet. Though the extent and rate of Gannet production are secret, many scores of these turboprop-powered carrier-borne anti-submarine aircraft have now been delivered for service with the Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Australian Navy. In recent weeks it has been announced that a batch of 16 Gannets is to be built for the West German Govern- ment. Included will be one operational trainer version, to which versatile variant reference is later made. Total value of the order, including spares and equipment, is over £2 million. Specialized anti-submarine versions of the Gannet are the A.S.1 and A.S.4, the latter presumed to have a more powerful version of the Armstrong Siddeley Double Mamba turboprop than its predecessor. The Double Mamba is itself the key to the design of the Gannet. It has a low noise level, needs no flame dampers and allows the Gannet to fly happily on one half-engine. This capability is claimed to confer the following advantages: (1) the factor of double safety is introduced, since the aircraft is in effect twin-engined; (2) maintenance is reduced, since for most of its flying life only one half of the engine is in use, and this brings advantages concerning the overall wear and tear in the life of the engine; (3) while sufficient power for cruising is available from one half of the engine, full power of the double engine ensures an excellent take-off and a reserve of power for emergency use (for example, on going in to attack or on a baulked approach to deck landing). Precise details of the Gannet's military load are withheld, but visitors to the S.B.A.C. Display last year may recall that on view was an impressive assortment of stores, ranging from rockets and practice bombs, through large air/sea-rescue containers to 500 lb, 1,000 1b and 2,000 lb mines. Sonobuoys were included and there were flame-, smoke- and noise-producing floats, but no specific anti-submarine weapons other than special Gannet 7.2. ~'"\ Powerplant ... Arantroac Siddeley DNHC MambaSpan 54ft 4in Length 43ft Drawing and photograph show Gannet A.S.I. ••••••4
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