Folland
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Folland was the builder of the Folland Gnat lightweight fighter and trainer, designed by W. E. W Petter who had previously designed the Lysander, Canberra and Lightning.
This aircraft pictured was previously used by the RAF Red Arrows airshow team, but is shown here painted as an aircraft of the earlier Yellowjacks display team, a forerunner of the Red Arrows.
History
British Marine Aircraft Ltd. was formed in February 1936 to produce Sikorsky S-42-A flying boats under licence in the UK. The company built a factory on the western side of the Hamble peninsular with a slipway to Southampton Water. The Sikorsky deal came to naught, however, and the company was sold to Henry P. Folland , formerly Chief designer for Gloster Aircraft Company, who renamed it Folland Aircraft Limited on December 24 1937. Template:Inote Folland began aircraft assembly at Hamble making parts for Bristol Blenheim and Beaufort bombers. Folland later took on sub-contract work making parts for de Havilland Mosquitos and Vickers Wellingtons.Template:Inote
The company flew the first aircraft of its own design, the Folland 43/47 (Design number FO 108) in 1940.
W. E. W. Petter joined the company as managing director in 1950. Template:Inote He designed the Folland Midge, which first flew August 11 1954Template:Inote, and the Folland Gnat training jet (July 18 1955)Template:Inote. Both were built at Hamble throughout the until the 1960s. In 1959 Folland was acquired by Hawker Siddeley, and ultimately became part of British Aerospace (BAe). Although Hamble airfield closed in 1986, BAe continued to use the premises there for the production of major assemblies for Harrier and Hawk jets. Template:Inote
References
- 'Folland', British Aircraft Directory (May 1 2004) (http://www.britishaircraft.co.uk/companypage.php?ID=21) Retrieved May 20 2005
- Fagan, Dave. 'Hamble' Aviation in Hampshire UK 1900 to 2000 (http://daveg4otu.tripod.com/airfields/ham.html) Retrieved May 20 2005
- Haselden, Derek. Aviation at Hamble (January 8 (http://www.delscope.demon.co.uk/personal/hamble.htm)] 2005)] Retrieved May 20 2005
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