India was the only bulk user of the Folland / HAL Gnat fighter in its single seat
variant. Inducted in the late 50s, the Gnat saw more than thirty years of service before
being phased out in the early 90s. In the course of their phasing out a few number of them
found their way into collections abroad. None of the Gnats that are outside India
are flyers. All of them without exception are displayed as static exhibits.
Noted Warbird Collector Dave Talichet had
acquired atleast five Gnat airframes through his warbird company Military Aircraft
Restoration Corporation (MARC). One of the aircraft was E-1076 which
was donated to the March Field Museum for display at the March Air Force
Base in California. Initially displayed in IAF plain aluminium finish, this aircraft
was repainted in the Red Arrows Scheme, but still carries the IAF Serial number on its
fuselage.
Paul Nann had also contributed this photograph of Folland Gnat E
1076 at the March Field Air Museum in the California, USA. Photo
Courtesy: Paul Nann |
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The
Aircraft has since been repainted in the red colors of Britain's Red Arrows aerobatic
team. An inaccurate depiction as the Red Arrows never flew the F.1, as this model is
known. But the two seater T.1 Variant. Photo Courtesy: World
Militair Site [John Hamilton] |
The other Gnat [E-1222] was
given to the Mid America Air Museum at Liberal in Kansas State in the United States. The
Museum's Restoration Chief Frank Young had to build a replacement tail for
the Gnat from drawings and photographs supplied by the original manufacturer HAL from
Bangalore. E-1222 is now preserved in IAF colors at the Museum.
Though it is not known for sure, it is believed E-1222 were originally IE-1222
at one point of time.
Some airframes are lying in the aircraft
boneyard at the airfield in Chino, California. A Picture was published in the 1992 Book California
High: Warbirds of the West Coast that showed five Gnats in a dismantled and stored
condition at David Tallichet's compound. Two of the aircraft can be identified as E-296
and IE-1214.
| HAL Gnat
E 1222 as displayed in IAF colors at the Mid America Air Museum in Kansas.
Photo Courtesy MAAM |

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HAL
Gnats E-296, IE-1214 are found in David Tallichet's compound at Chino
Airfield in California. Photo Courtesy :
Windrow and Greene Ltd |
During the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965,
A Folland Gnat (IE 1083) of No.23 Squadron strayed into Pakistan and
landed at Pasrur airbase. This Gnat was recovered intact and in flying condition by the
Pakistani Air Force and was thoroughly tested. The same aircraft is now on display at the
PAF Museum in Karachi. This Gnat was one of the original 23 sent by Folland to
India.
| Folland
Gnat IE 1083 is on display at the PAF Museum Karachi. This aircraft was
retained as a war trophy after the Indian pilot forcelanded at a Pakistani Airfield
by mistake during the 1965 India Pakistan War. Photo Courtesy PAF
Museum |
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In 2000, When the Indian Air Force Chief
visited Bangladesh, he presented three aircraft to the BAF. One of the aircraft was a Gnat
that had taken part in the Bangladesh Conflict. The Current Location of the Gnat is not
known but its either at the Bashar AFB or with the Liberation War Museum in Dacca.
List of
Folland/HAL Gnats overseas
| Serial No |
Owner / Operated By |
Location |
Remarks on Current Markings and Status |
| E-296 |
David Tallichet,
Chino, CA |
USA |
Stored |
| E-1214 |
David Tallichet,
Chino, CA |
USA |
Stored |
| E-1222 |
Mid America Air
Museum, KS |
USA |
Displayed
in IAF Colors |
| E-1076 |
March Air Field Air
Museum, CA |
USA |
Red Arrows
Scheme, still has IAF Serial Number |
| IE-1083 |
Pakistan Air Force
Museum , Karachi |
Pakistan |
displayed
in IAF colors |
| -NA- |
Bangladesh
Air Force |
Bangladesh |
No confirmation on
Current Location. |

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