Fairey Gannet, part four

 

The prototype of the Fairey Gannet flew for the first time on 19th September 1949 and made the first carrier landing by a turboprop aircraft on HMS Illustrious (87) later, on 19th June 1950, at the hands of Lt. Cdr. G. Callingham. After having changed the operational requirements with the addition of a radar and a third crew member to operate it, the type began to be produced in 1953, with initial deliveries being called Gannet AS.1 and delivered to RNAS Ford (West Sussex) in April 1954. Shortly after a trainer variant, called T.2 was developed and flew for the first time in August 1954. The Fleet Air Arm's first operational Gannet squadron, 826 Naval Air Squadron, was embarked on board HMS Eagle (R05). 

The initial production order called for 100 Gannet AS.1. Eventually, a total of 348 Gannets were manufactured, of which 44 were re-designated as AEW.3, of the airborne early warning type. Production ranged from 1953 until the late 1950s and was shared between Fairey's factories at Hayes in Middlesex, Heaton Chapel in Stockport and Manchester Ringway airport. 

By mid-1960s the AS.1 and AS.4 (an improved version) had been replaced by the Westland Whirlwind HAS.7 helicopter. However, some Gannets were kept in active service as Electronic Counter-Measures aircraft as the ECM.6 and some other AS.4 were converted to Carrier On Board Delivery role, the aerial supply of mail and light cargo to the fleet.

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

4. https://www.valka.cz/Fairey-Gannet-t94590 (translated)