{"product_id":"trumpeter-plastic-model-kit-fairey-gannet-as-mk-1-4-1-72","title":"Trumpeter Plastic Model Kit Fairey Gannet AS Mk.1\/4 — 1:72","description":"\u003cp\u003eManufacturer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTrumpeter is a Chinese manufacturer of injection-moulded plastic scale models covering aircraft, armour, ships and other subjects. Kit 01629 was released in September 2006 and was one of the company's early modern 1:72 naval-aircraft subjects. HobbySearch records the September 2006 release and identifies the manufacturer, 1:72 scale and kit number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit was designed around the unusual Fairey Gannet, Britain's first operational turboprop-powered carrier aircraft and an important Fleet Air Arm anti-submarine aircraft of the early Cold War.\n\u003cbr\u003eKit contents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTrumpeter 01629 contains approximately 100 plastic parts and is moulded in styrene. The finished model is approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Length: 188 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Wingspan: 229 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Scale: 1:72\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Parts: approximately 100\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Medium: Injection-moulded styrene\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit provides a detailed cockpit and crew positions, separate ailerons and Fowler flaps, the characteristic contra-rotating propeller system, retractable undercarriage, folding-wing structure and the Gannet's distinctive ventral radar installation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit's decal options include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    XA322, 769 Squadron, RNAS Culdrose, 1957\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    XA402, 820 Squadron, HMS Bulwark, 1956\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    West German Navy aircraft, 1960\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit also allows the flaps to be posed, while the canopy arrangement provides opportunities for displaying the cockpit interior.\n\u003cbr\u003eHistory of the full-size aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Fairey Gannet was developed in response to a 1945 Admiralty requirement for a carrier-based anti-submarine aircraft. The Royal Navy needed a replacement for aircraft such as the Fairey Firefly and Grumman Avenger as submarine warfare technology evolved after the Second World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFairey's initial concept was particularly ambitious. The aircraft was originally considered for an installation involving two Rolls-Royce Merlin engines driving a common gearbox and contra-rotating propellers. This was subsequently abandoned in favour of the revolutionary Armstrong Siddeley Double Mamba turboprop.\n\u003cbr\u003eThe Double Mamba\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gannet's most distinctive feature was its Armstrong Siddeley Double Mamba powerplant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Double Mamba effectively combined two Mamba turboprop engines into a single installation. Each engine drove one of the two contra-rotating propellers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis arrangement gave the Gannet considerable power while allowing the aircraft to shut down one engine during cruise, improving endurance during long anti-submarine patrols.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe contra-rotating propellers also eliminated the torque effects that would otherwise result from using a single large propeller.\n\u003cbr\u003eFirst flight and carrier operations\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe first Gannet prototype flew in September 1949. It subsequently underwent extensive testing for carrier operations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA significant milestone came on 19 June 1950, when a Gannet became the first turboprop aircraft to land aboard an aircraft carrier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis was particularly significant because carrier aircraft needed to combine relatively high performance with very low-speed handling characteristics for deck landings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gannet's large wings, powerful propulsion system and robust undercarriage made it well suited to this demanding environment.\n\u003cbr\u003eGannet AS Mk.1 and AS Mk.4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit represents the AS Mk.1\/AS Mk.4 anti-submarine variants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft was designed around the needs of maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare. It carried sensors and weapons intended to detect and attack submarines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gannet's large internal volume allowed it to carry substantial equipment, while its endurance made it useful for extended patrols around a carrier task force.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe later AS Mk.4 incorporated improvements over the original AS Mk.1. A total of approximately 255 AS Mk.4 aircraft were produced to meet the Fleet Air Arm's requirement to replace ageing Fireflies and Avengers.\n\u003cbr\u003ePerformance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePublished specifications for the AS Mk.4 include approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Wingspan: 54 ft 4 in \/ 16.56 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Length: 43 ft \/ 13.11 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Height: 13 ft 8½ in \/ 4.18 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Empty weight: 15,069 lb \/ 6,835 kg\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Maximum take-off weight: 21,600 lb \/ 9,798 kg\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Maximum speed: approximately 310 mph \/ 499 km\/h\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Service ceiling: approximately 25,000 ft \/ 7,620 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Range: approximately 943 miles \/ 1,517 km\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese figures vary somewhat according to the specific Gannet variant and operational configuration.\n\u003cbr\u003eAnti-submarine warfare\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gannet was principally designed to hunt submarines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt could carry anti-submarine weapons and use its sensors to search large areas of ocean. Operating from aircraft carriers gave the Royal Navy the ability to extend anti-submarine patrols well beyond the immediate vicinity of the fleet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft's endurance was particularly important because submarine hunting required lengthy patrols rather than short, high-speed missions.\n\u003cbr\u003eCarrier service\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGannets operated from several Royal Navy carriers during the 1950s and 1960s. The aircraft's large folding wings were essential for carrier storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit's decal options illustrate this operational environment, including aircraft from 820 Squadron aboard HMS Bulwark and aircraft associated with RNAS Culdrose.\n\u003cbr\u003eOther roles\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gannet eventually evolved beyond the anti-submarine role.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe related Gannet AEW.3 became an airborne early-warning aircraft, replacing the Skyraider in Royal Navy service. Other Gannet variants were used for training.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe type also achieved international service. The West German Navy operated Gannets, one of which is represented by the kit's 1960 marking option.\n\u003cbr\u003eWhy the Gannet is historically significant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Fairey Gannet is one of the most unusual aircraft of the post-war Fleet Air Arm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIts combination of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Twin-engine turboprop power\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Contra-rotating propellers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Folding wings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Carrier capability\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Anti-submarine sensors\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Heavy maritime equipment\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003egave it a distinctive appearance and made it an important transitional aircraft between piston-engined naval aircraft and later jet-powered maritime patrol aircraft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt also represents one of the relatively rare successful applications of a twin turboprop arrangement in a carrier-based combat aircraft.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Trumpeter","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57504170410364,"sku":"Trumpeter-01629","price":22.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0432\/8584\/0033\/files\/1DDC30FD-715E-4032-8991-3C9BB32CB1AA.jpg?v=1790403679","url":"https:\/\/sussex-model-centre.co.uk\/products\/trumpeter-plastic-model-kit-fairey-gannet-as-mk-1-4-1-72","provider":"Sussex Model Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}