25 March 2014
The Gnat Display Team has added a third Folland Gnat to its fleet and will be flying three-ship displays at this year’s airshows.
The team has been flying two red Gnats at airshows for the past four years but for the coming season a third Gnat (G-MOUR) – in bright yellow – will be part of the routine.
G-MOUR will remain in the Yellowjacks Aerobatic Team colour – to pay respect the display team which was the precursor to the Red Arrows. The jet has been through a major service over the winter and is due to start flying with G-RORI and G-TIMM in the coming weeks. It’s also a two-seater which means other pilots can be trained up to fly the jet.
Mark Fitzgerald, the Chairman of the Heritage Aircraft Trust that operates these jets said, “The Charity is thrilled to be able to offer a three-ship display during this most significant 50th anniversary year of the iconic Folland Gnat. It has taken our engineering team over three years to painstakingly restore G-MOUR (formerly owned by Pink Floyd rock legend Dave Gilmour) to full flying condition, just in time for this important 2014 Airshow season.”
Pilots Mark Fitzgerald, 37, and Kevin Whyman, 38, will continue to fly the original pair of Gnats and the third aircraft will be flown by Chris Heames, 62.
Currently the team is booked for six airshows with the Essex Military Festival and the Belfast Airshow asking them to show off the new three-ship display routine.
The team’s first display will be at RIAT on the press day in June with the first 3-ship confirmed for the Essex Military Festival on 21/22 June.
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