What Is The Folland Gnat?
The Folland Gnat. Compact British jet trainer and fighter valued for nimble flight controls and low operational support costs.
United Kingdom
Origin
Trainer
Role
1,118 km/h
Top speed
14,600 m
Service ceiling
Folland Gnat Specifications
The Folland Gnat was a lightweight British jet trainer and fighter, praised for the aircraft’s low cost and high flight agility. Fitted with a Bristol Siddeley Orpheus turboje, the aircraft could hit 695 mph, and served as the RAF Yellowjacks’ display aircraft, achieving notable combat victories with the Indian Air Force.
Performance
Top speed
695 mph (1,118 km/h)
Service ceiling
48,000 ft (14,600 m)
Combat radius
120 nmi (220 km)
Rate of climb
20,000 ft/min (101.6 m/s)
Airframe
Crew
2
Length
29 ft 9 in (9.07 m)
Wingspan
22 ft 2 in (6.75 m)
Empty weight
4,800 lbs (2,177 kg)
Engine
1x Bristol Siddeley Orpheus 701-01 turbojet
Service
First flight
18 July 1955
Unit cost
$110,000 (Historical)
Operators
United Kingdom (RAF - Historic), India (IAF - Historic)
What Weapons Does The Folland Gnat Carry?
The Folland Gnat is armed with two internal 30mm ADEN cannons with 115 rounds per gun, plus underwing hardpoints carrying 18 unguided 3-inch rocket projectiles or two 500 lb conventional bombs.
Weapon
Category
Loadout
Range
ADEN
Category
30 mm Cannon
Loadout
2 internal cannon (115 rounds each)
Range
1,800 metres (effective)
Matra Rocket Pod
Category
68 mm Unguided Rockets
Loadout
Up to 2 pods
Range
3 km (1.9 miles)
500 lb Bomb
Category
General-Purpose Bomb
Loadout
Up to 2 bombs
Range
Gravity released
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
How Fast Is The Folland Gnat?
The Gnat reaches around 695 mph, Mach 0.95. It is tiny – under ten metres long and weighing barely two tonnes empty – which gave it an outstanding thrust-to-weight ratio and made it extremely difficult to see in the air. Indian pilots exploited exactly that in combat against much larger Pakistani aircraft.
How Was The Folland Gnat Developed?
W.E.W. Petter designed the Gnat as a private venture, arguing that cheap lightweight fighters could be procured in numbers where expensive ones could not. The RAF rejected it as a fighter but adopted the two-seat T.1 as an advanced trainer. It first flew on 18 July 1955.
Has The Folland Gnat Seen Combat?
Indian Gnats earned the nickname Sabre Slayer in the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani wars, claiming several Pakistani F-86s. The type's small size and agility at low level proved highly effective, and India developed an improved version, the HAL Ajeet.
Who Operates The Folland Gnat?
The RAF flew the Gnat as a trainer until 1979, India built it under licence and operated it until 1991, and Finland and Yugoslavia took small numbers. Several airworthy examples fly as warbirds in the UK and United States.
Folland Gnat FAQs
Common questions about the Folland Gnat, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.
Can I fly in the Folland Gnat as a civilian?
No, the Folland Gnat is not available for civilian passenger flights. Jetify offers flights in ex-military aircraft that have been demilitarised and placed on a civil register, such as the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15 Fagot, across 7 aircraft types from 11 airfields in 7 countries.
Can I take the controls of the Folland Gnat?
No, you cannot take the controls of the Folland Gnat, because it is not available for civilian passenger flights. On the aircraft Jetify does operate, such as the L-39 Albatros, most allow you to take the controls in level flight and gentle turns once your pilot is satisfied you are comfortable.
How much does a flight in the Folland Gnat cost?
The Folland Gnat is not available for civilian passenger flights, so there is no price for a flight in one. Jetify flights in jets such as the L-39 Albatros start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, while the MiG-15 Fagot, Aermacchi S.211 and Lockheed T-33 start from around £2,800 ($3,800, €3,400). The Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, starts from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600. Every price is per person and includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening.
Is there a weight or height limit for a jet flight instead of the Folland Gnat?
The Folland Gnat is not available for civilian passenger flights, but all jet flight experiences enforce strict height and weight limits set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.
How much G-force would I feel on a jet flight instead of the Folland Gnat?
The Folland Gnat is not available for civilian passenger flights, but on a civilian jet experience aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load. Supersonic and high-altitude profiles are physically far easier, and what happens in the air is agreed with your pilot and can be adjusted at any point.
How far in advance should I book a jet flight instead of the Folland Gnat?
The Folland Gnat is not available for civilian passenger flights, but you should book a real ex-military jet experience, such as the L-39 Albatros, 2 to 4 months in advance because of limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.
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