1/72 FOLLAND GNAT SINGLE SEATER YUGOSLAV AIR FORCE MUSEUM AV7228005

Following in the contrails of Aviation 72's successful two-seat T.1 trainer variant that has spawned many versions in 1/72 scale, the Gnat's casting was modified to replicate the original solo cockpit 'light fighter' F.1 that first flew in 1955.

The British Folland Gnat was developed as a compact swept-wing subsonic fighter aircraft that was produced by Folland Aircraft. Envisioned as an affordable light fighter in contrast to the rising costs and size of typical combat aircraft, it was procured as a trainer aircraft for the Royal Air Force as well as by overseas customers in Finland, Yugoslavia and India, who used the Gnat in both combat and training capacities.

Although never used as a fighter by the RAF, the 2-seat Gnat T.1 jet trainer variant was also adopted and operated for some time. The Gnat also became well known due to its prominent use as the original display type used by the Red Arrows aerobatic team. The Gnat was replaced by the Hawker Siddeley Hawk.

The Yugoslav Air Force ordered two Gnat F.1s for evaluation and the first of these flew in June 1958, but no further aircraft were ordered. One aircraft was destroyed in a crash in 1958, but the other has survived and is preserved and displayed at the Aeronautical Museum Belgrade, in Serbia. This is the airframe modelled here. It's original registration during tests was 11601, but this is not present on the preserved aircraft, so the model correctly reflects this.

The single-seater Gnat really looks the part with the smaller cockpit and is wonderfully finished in the correct livery. The paintwork on both features a suitable level of sheen and the markings are all beautifully applied, plus there is plenty of excellent detailing to enjoy. Undercarriage is fixed in the deployed position and the model comes complete with a display stand to use, if desired.