Fairey Gannet AS.1/AS.4 Export Schemes

Plastic model kit of a Fairey Gannet AS.1/AS.4 anti-submarine aircraft

• Scale 1:48
• Dimensions (built): Length: 290 mm / Wingspan: 344 mm
• 334 parts
• 3 painting options
• Unbuilt, unpainted
• Paint and glue not included

The Fairey Gannet AS.1 and AS.4 were carrier-based anti-submarine aircraft of the British Naval Air Arm and were among the most distinctive military aircraft of the post-war era. Developed by Fairey Aviation, the Gannet made its first flight in 1949 and entered service with the Royal Navy in 1953. Its primary role was searching for and attacking submarines, and it was one of the first Royal Navy aircraft to combine both reconnaissance and attack capabilities in a single aircraft.

The Gannet was characterized by its unusual appearance with twin tail fins, its three-crew cockpit arranged in tandem, and its folding wings, which facilitated carrier operations. It was powered by an Armstrong Siddeley Double Mamba turboprop engine with two coupled engines and contra-rotating propellers. This innovative propulsion system allowed one engine to be shut down during extended patrol flights to save fuel and increase flight time.

The AS.1 was the first production version of the Gannet. It featured advanced anti-submarine sensors and an internal weapons bay for torpedoes, depth charges, and other anti-submarine weapons. With a crew of three, it achieved a top speed of approximately 500 km/h and proved its worth in service on the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers.

The AS.4, introduced later, was a further development of the AS.1. It received more powerful engines, modernized avionics, and improved anti-submarine warfare equipment. Externally, it differed little from its predecessor but offered enhanced operational capabilities. Besides its use by the Royal Navy, the AS.4 was also used by other navies, including the Royal Australian Navy and the German Federal Navy.

The German Federal Navy deployed the Fairey Gannet AS.4 from 1958. These aircraft primarily served as anti-submarine warfare aircraft over the North and Baltic Seas and made a significant contribution to the development of German naval aviation in the early stages of the Cold War. They were replaced by more modern models in the mid-1960s.

The German Federal Navy (Bundesmarine) operated the Fairey Gannet AS.4 from 1958. Overall, the Fairey Gannet remained one of the most remarkable British naval aircraft of the 1950s and 1960s due to its unusual appearance, innovative propulsion system and significant role in maritime air warfare.