Folland Aircraft was a British aircraft manufacturing company which was active between 1937 and 1963.
It was a follow-up on British Marine Aircraft Limited, which was formed in February 1936 to produce Sikorsky S-42-A flying boats under licence in the UK. A factory was built on the western side of the Hamble peninsula with a slipway to Southampton Water and the construction of one Sikorsky based aircraft was started. But since the company was suffering losses, mergers with other British aircraft companies were considered by the liquidators, including one with Westland Aircraft. Following failure of the Westland deal, the liquidators appointed a new management board in May 1937 to stem the losses and re-organise the company which was renamed later in 1937 to Folland Aircraft Company after Henry P. Folland, the company's managing director and aircraft designer.
Folland Gnat
The Folland Gnat is a British compact swept-wing subsonic fighter aircraft that was developed and produced by Folland Aircraft. Envisioned as an affordable light fighter in contrast to the rising cost and size of typical combat aircraft, it was procured as a trainer aircraft for the Royal Air Force (RAF) as well as by export customers, who used the Gnat in both combat and training capacities.
The Gnat F.1 was exported to Finland, Yugoslavia and India. The Indian Air Force became the largest operator and eventually manufactured the aircraft under licence. Impressed by its performance during combat, India proceeded to develop the HAL Ajeet, an improved variant of the Gnat.
Folland Fo.141 Gnat F.1, registration IE1205, built ????, serial number GT-021 Indian Air Force HQ, Delhi, India, 28 April 2018
