Fairey Gannet
FAA models in 1/72 scale kit review and building report
Fairey Gannet , anti-submarine and patrol aircraft. This kit originated from Frog and was copied by Novo (kit F228). I got the Novo kit.
Brief history
The Gannet prototype first flew on 19 September, 1949. There were several versions developed such as ASW and AEW versions. The AS type entered production in 1953 and initial deliveries were made of the AS.1 variant at RNAS Ford in April 1954. A trainer variant (T.2) first flew in August 1954. The RN's first operational Gannet squadron (826) was embarked on HMS Eagle.
Armstrong Siddeley engine known as the Double or "Twin" Mamba driving two counter-rotating propellers through a common gearbox. The ASMD.1 engines (2,950hp) were used in the AS.1, ASMD.3 engines (3,145hp) inn the AS.4, and ASMD.4 (3,875hp) in the AEW.3 variant.
The total built is reported to be 441. The Gannet was also operated by the Royal Australian Navy and German Navy.
More info here:
http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/gannet/history.html
The NOVO kit
The kit is a very old Frog kit, for a mk1 or mk 4.
It comes with no wheel wheels, no cockpit but solid pilot figures and seats and very rough panels. It can be made however with some work into a nice model in 1/72 scale.
Again, the cockpit glasses are very
thick and replaced by the AeroClub canopies
from their cast metal set with detail parts as the gear, interior (seats
and instrument panels), a good prop and the nose intake.
below the Aeroclub
parts can be seen.
The kit decals are also seen above.
Filler is needed in certain areas during assembly such as the wing-fuselage
joint and tail area. Assure that the wing dihedral is set to the correct
angle.
I replaced the horizontal stabilizer with a piece from the spare box to get a separate elevator and thinner leading and trailing edges.
After that, some parts in the cockpit area were installed as provided by Aeroclub.
the nose area with the metal part, needing some filler
the main wheel wells were opened as the kit has no wheel wells at all.
Some detail was added with card and the metal Aeroclub parts used.
After major assembly, the main panel
lines were engraved by hand and the model sanded smooth. A light grey coat
was sprayed on to do some final checking and any flaws were repaired with
putty as needed.
The cockpit area and its parts were
sprayed coal black.
kit review building report
kit review building report
kit review building report
kit review building report
kit review building report
kit review building report
kit review building report
kit review building report
kit review building report
kit review building report
kit review building report
... after light grey coats to check any flaws and subsequent correction,
the Gannet kit got an overall Extra Dark Sea Grey coat.
Details of the undercarriage and wheel bays can be seen here. 
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