Fairey Gannet AEW.3 XL502 entered Yorkshire Air Museum in 2005. Photo 30/7/2010
XL502 entered service 1961 and served on the fleet carriers until 1978 when first transferred to RNAS Lossiemouth as ground trainer and in same year to RNAS Leuchars as instructional groundframe.
After restoration was the last Gannet to fly at airshows under private ownership
Fitted with a development of the Mamba engine, the coupled Double Mamba, the Gannet had a long gestation, as rapidly advancing technology caused the Admiralty to upgrade the specifi cation frequently.
Either half of the power plant could be independently controlled, giving the pilot the option of shutting down one half and feathering the propeller to extend cruise range and lengthen search time.