Lovely, not “ugly”, bird
Hello, guys!
I have rarely built post-war aircrafts, civil or military. This is the first post-war Royal Navy bird for me.
I never believe the reputation that Fairey Gannet is one of the ugliest planes of the world. Although maybe not beautiful or elegant, she is a very lovely bird. I would be happy if anybody agrees with my view.
The Sword kit was pretty tough at least for me: fittings of parts were not very bad in general, but the scarcity (or virtually absence) of locating pins or tabs and ambiguous instructions kept troubling me during this project. Actually, I came close to abandoning it a few times. On the contrary, details of surfaces and general outlines seemed convincing. Decals and PE parts were also excellent. I added some wires in the wheel wells and brake pipes on the main gears. Anti-collision lights? were made from transparent sprues and painted clear red.
The color scheme is Extra Sea Gray (I used TAMIYA Color XF63 German Gray as replacement) and SKY (Mr. Hobby H-74 Sky), as is usual for Royal Navy birds of this period. One thing for which I am not sure is the color of wheel wells and landing gears: is it painted with the undersurface color (Sky, in this case) or with any other color? I checked several photos and read articles on the internet, but failed to reach a conclusion. In the end, I selected an easier way: they were painted with the undersurface color Sky. It would be grateful if anybody shows me the true color.
Thank you for watching.
10 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Peter Klin said on August 20, 2019
There is a “law” in aeronautics: an aircraft with good flying characteristics somehow looks always beautiful!
Some aircrafts express their beauty impudently, others are more shy and hide their beauty in more subtle aspects. I guess Gannet belongs to the latter group and the pics of your excellent model allow us to appreciate these subtleties.
I have to agree with you: the Gannet is not ugly and thanks for sharing!
Shun said on August 21, 2019
Thank you Peter for an interesting view on the beauty of aircrafts.
Yes, the beauty of Gannet may be rather peculiar, but the shape of the aircraft is optimized for her duty, demonstrating “the beauty of function.”
Stellan Schroeder Englund said on August 20, 2019
Just like a seagull is mastering the elements for which it was designed there is also a beauty in its no frills look. Think the Gannet is also in the same category of beauty. It is said to be pleasant to fly. Model looks great.
Shun said on August 21, 2019
Thank you Stellan.
I totally agree with you!
Craig Abrahamson said on August 20, 2019
Beautiful or Ugly…whatever one thinks – that aside, your build looks outstanding.
Shun said on August 21, 2019
Thank you Craig for the very kind words for my model.
Bill Koppos said on August 20, 2019
Sorry-ugly as sin. Especially with that growth underneath. Very nicely built, however.
Shun said on August 21, 2019
Hi, Bill.
I have to admit the large radome underside of AEW emphasizes the peculiarity of Gannet. But thank you for the positive comments of the finish of the model.
Greg Kittinger said on August 20, 2019
Definitely not a graceful-looking aircraft, but I have always appreciated the “purpose-built” nature of the form! I’ve always been intrigued by the Gannet and recently picked up a Trumpeter kit at a contest for $5. I’m looking forward to building this and her stable mate – the Wyvern. Such unique-looking aircraft!
Your’s looks great by the way!
Shun said on August 21, 2019
Hi, Gregg.
I also love Wyvern, especially its sci-fi like shape, and want to build one some day like you.
dale travis said on August 20, 2019
Excellent work on a butt ugly aircraft!
Shun said on August 21, 2019
Thank you Dale!
Dmitry Stropalov said on August 20, 2019
Very clean build, nice model! Years ago I’ve had a FROG’s Gannet – a really unusual airplane.
Shun said on August 21, 2019
Thank you Dmitry for kind comments.
Have you finished FROG’s Gannet?
Dmitry Stropalov said on August 21, 2019
Of course no 🙂 I was a child, so it was hard to finish anything.
Tom Cleaver said on August 20, 2019
Nice work on this. The Gannet has always interested me. I remember seeing some aboard HMS Hermes in Manila harbor after the 1963 SEATO exercises.
The gear and wells were silver, like the interior surface of the folded wing in the photo you’ve provided. Not a killer that you did as you did.
Shun said on August 21, 2019
Thank you Tom for valuable information about the color of wheel wells and gears. Silver did not come to my mind. Next time I build another Royal Navy bird, I don’t fail to remember it.
Josh Patterson said on August 20, 2019
Great job on the Gannet! There is one flying on the US civil register out of Minnesota (With a lady owner to boot!) so occasionally it makes appearances at shows. This is probably my favorite FAA paint scheme as pretty much any plane looks good in it! Just wish Sword would punch this one up to 1/48.
Shun said on August 21, 2019
It’s very nice to know a Gannet survives and is flyable even now. Although difficult, I wish to see her flying !
Thank you Josh for infomation!
Josh Patterson said on August 21, 2019
Here she is. Not as cool as your FAA paint, but they’re her actual markings she wore at when retired. (I saw it about 15 years ago before being repainted and the day-glo orange was quite faded!) https://www.airspacemag.com/photocontest/detail/people-planes/the-worlds-only-flying-fairey-gannet-t5-departing-new-richmond-wisconsin-fo/
Shun said on August 22, 2019
The day-glo sheme is very attractive, will show off when painted on a model. Thank you Josh.
George R Blair Jr said on August 21, 2019
Great looking model of a plane that is all business. Sword kits can be a challenge, but they sure make some kits of planes that no one else has. Great job.
Shun said on August 21, 2019
Yes, George, the selection of Sword is unique and attractive.
I cannot understand, however, why they do (or can) not pay attention to the ease of building of kits, considering the excellent surface texture they show off. Puzzling….
Allan J Withers said on August 21, 2019
Good looking Gannet Shun, well done, interesting different version to the one I’m working on, Trumpeter 1/72 !!
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Shun said on August 21, 2019
Thank you Allan!
I also like the version you are building. It is, in a sense, more “Gannet-like” than AEW I built. I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing the finish.
Stéphane Bredel said on August 21, 2019
I do like these (real) big-eyeed planes. We had a similar one in the French Navy: Bréguet Br.1050 Alizé.
Bravo for this very clean rendition!
Shun said on August 21, 2019
Thank you Stéphane.
Yes, I know Alizé. (Incidentally, this name reminds me of a French female singer, Alyzée.) It is also my favorite. Is there any kit of it currently available AND not so expensive?
John Healy said on August 21, 2019
Nice work. I’d love a new Gannet in 1:48.
Shun said on August 21, 2019
Thank you John!
I also wish a 48th scale Gannet.
DE4EVER said on August 22, 2019
🙂 … Greetings … 🙂 :
I never have seen any ” ugly ” side to the GANNET, visually shocking … yes, yet this trait is what in my view … has made it a captivating bird to see.
Your model alone speaks well of this aircraft. Nice model work on this one Shun.
Shun said on August 22, 2019
Thank you DE4EVER for encouraging words!
Jeff Bailey said on August 22, 2019
There are NO ugly planes, Shun … only those that aren’t quite as handsome as others.
One thing I noticed. From above (see photos #7 and #8 above) the Gannet has a general outline (shape) of an F6F Hellcat. of course there are LOTS of differences – starting with the canopy placement and double prop – I just mean the overall outline. That’s just me, perhaps —- LOL!
Shun, your model looks outstanding and serves as tribute to the real and somewhat under-appreciated ones!
Shun said on August 22, 2019
Yes, you are right, Jeff. It can be said any plane is beautiful as long as it fulfills the required specs.
I did’nt notice the similarity between Gannet and Hellcat. It’s an interesting finding that a seabird is similar to a feline….
Thank your for kind words to my model.
David A. Thomas said on August 22, 2019
I have a thing for “ugly” birds; I prefer the Hurricane to the Spit, and the Thunderbolt to the Mustang. Ungainly seabirds are my favorite of all–they catch the eye’s interest. But you made ugly beautiful with this outstanding bird. Really nice work.
Shun said on August 23, 2019
I know what you mean, David. In a sense, “weird” aircrafts sometimes give a stronger impression and show off more when reproduced as a model kit than “elegant” ones.
Thank you for nice comments.
Dirk Derks said on August 22, 2019
Hello Shun,
The great number of responses regarding your model, are the proof, that the Gannet is a very well liked aircraft. Like a lot of items produced in the UK (at that time) it was a complicated AC.
Wings folded in two stages, two engines behind each other, double props and so on.
And even you told us, it was quite difficult to get it together.
Well, my dear friend, you did a very excellent job.
As you know, there is one flying in the US. The T5, I would love to see it start up in real time.
Thanks for sharing this remarkable bird with us. Regards, Dirk.
Shun said on August 23, 2019
HI, Dirk.
I really appreciate you and all others for comments, and happy to know that Gannet is loved by many including those who do not think it beautiful.
Yes, the Gargantuan Double Mamba engine and the contrapropeller, among others, give her a quite unique figure. The uniqueness is a great merit, at least for a plastic model.
Thank you for kind comments.
Glenn Virgo said on August 29, 2019
Lovely. Don’t see these being built much. 👍🏻
Shun said on August 29, 2019
Thank you Glenn!
I’m pleased that you also find her lovely.