The Gannet was build as a response to the GR.17/45 Admiralty requirement made in 1945, for which both Fairey (Fairey Type Q, AKA Fairey 17) and Blackburn (Blackburn B-54/B-88) presented their prototypes.
Initially, the Rolls-Royce Tweed engine was considered, however, Fairey discarded it in favour of the Armstrong-Siddeley Mamba turboprop, the Double Mamba. These engines were mounted side-by-side and coupled through a common gearbox to coaxial contra-rotating propellers with each engine driving its own propeller. Power was transmitted by a torsion shaft engaged through a series of sun, planet, epicyclic and spur gears to give a suitable reduction ratio and correct propeller-shaft rotation.
The ASMD.1 engine, capable of achieving up to 2.950 hp of power, was equipped in the Gannet AS.1 (first anti-submarine version) and the AS.4 (an improved anti-submarine variant) was powered with a ASMD.3 engine with 3.875 hp of power. The Double Mamba engine could be run with one engine off and its propeller feathered to conserve fuel and extend endurance when cruising. In a traditional twin-engined aircraft, this would create thrust asymmetry, however, this was avoided thanks to the centerline-mounted propellers. Mamba exhausts were placed on each side of the fuselage, at the root of the wing trailing edge. The gas turbine engine could run on kerosene, "wide-cut" turbine fuel or diesel fuel, allowing the Admiralty to discard the dangerous high-octane petroleum spirit required to operate piston-engined aircraft from aircraft carriers.
Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairey_Gannet
2. https://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/gannet/history.php
3. Hall Park Books - Warpaint 23 - Fairey Gannet
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