Book cover finish | Perfect paperback |
Condition | Used very good |
Number of pages | 28 |
Published date | 2008 |
Language | English |
Collection / Series | Warpaint series No.67 |
Size | 21 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm |
Author | Alain W. Hall |
Editor | Warpaint Books Ltd / Hall Park Books |
THE Folland Gnat was an attempt to produce a light weight fighter. Designed by W.E.W. Petter who produced the Lysander, Whirlwind and Welkin for Westlands, all of which were in one way or another unconventional and advanced aircraft for their time.
But after hostilities ended, Westland’s management decided to concentrate on helicopter production through a link-up with Sikorsky. Petter did not agree with this and resigned from the company to take up a post with English Electric who were a small company involved in subcontract aircraft manufacture during the war but wanted to branch out with designs of their own. This was exactly what Petter wanted and he designed the famous Canberra and then started work on what was to become the Lightning.
But here again there was a basic disagreement between the designer and the other directors of the company. He therefore left English Electric and accepted a post as managing director of Folland another small company based at Hamble, Hampshire in 1950. [...]