FS2002/FS2004 Fairey Gannet AEW.3
The Gannet was originally designed as an anti-submarine aircraft.
And,it was the first aircraft to use a double Mamba turbine engine in a single engine configuration, each unit powering a set of contra-rotating propellers.
It was also the first turbopropeller aircraft to land on an aircraft carrier.
However, With the development of the dipping sonar in the US, the Fleet Air Arm need for a fixed wing ASW aircraft was in doubt.
And the Gannet in its ASW role was discontinued.
As a consequence the Gannet was modified to carry the APS 20F radar used in the trials.
In this form, the Gannet AEW.3 first flew in August 1958 and entered service in March 1960.
by Kazunori Ito.