FutureWarTHINK 022: Missing USN ASW Capabilities: Contraprop Fairey Gannets

Why not put the folding-wing, contraprop Gannet back into service with the ASW weak USN? Wheeled for ski jump/catapult ships...floats for ships with turn-table catapults & cranes... 

The manned observation-weak U.S. ARMY?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfz_4D7gLsQ

+ 2x engines in the space of 1x: Contraprops no asymmetric thrust dangers...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairey_Gannet

The ASMD.1 engine (2,950 hp/2,200 kW) was used in the Gannet AS.1; ASMD.3 (3,145 hp/2,345 kW) in the AS.4; and ASMD.4 (3,875 hp/2,889 kW) in the AEW.3 variant. The Double Mamba engine could be run with one Mamba stopped and its propeller feathered, to conserve fuel and extend endurance when cruising. Stopping one engine on a conventional twin-engined plane would normally create thrust asymmetry, whereas the centerline-mounted propeller arrangement avoided this.[6] The Mamba exhausts were situated on each side of the fuselage, at the root of the wing trailing edge. The gas-turbine engine could run on kerosene, "wide-cut" turbine fuel or diesel fuel, allowing the Admiralty to eliminate the dangerous high-octane petroleum spirit required to operate piston-engined aircraft from carriers.[6]

A total of 348 Gannets were built, of which 44 were the redesigned AEW.3. 

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PROS

+ Folding wings for ship & ground mobility to avoid D.O.T.G.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo1YOU_IGQQ

+ Bomb-bay for torpedoes, bombs, sonobuoys

QUESTION: could this be expanded internally to seat/pardrop Naval PATHFINDERS & spies?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNXs_PizCZs&t=3s

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairey_Gannet

Some AS.4s were converted to COD.4s for Carrier onboard delivery—the aerial supply of mail and light cargo to the fleet.

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+ External wing racks for gun pods, rockets, missiles

+ 2 Manned enlisted observer bubble positions in rear-- + could be co-pilot to give rest to primary pilot in front

CONS (Zero, o, Nadda)

-- Fugly (so fucking what?)

--American aerospace humble pie eat can't do contraprops to date etc.

--NIHS

--It works--Illuminati want a weak USMIL

--Lazy Anglo-American aerospace companies need to be bribed to resume production

ASIDES

FOAM RUNWAYS GOOD

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairey_Gannet

21 November 1958 – Fairey Gannet AS.1, WN345, suffered a belly landing during a test programme, caused by a partially retracted nosewheel. The pilot tried unsuccessfully to get the gear to deploy. He landed gear-up on a foam-covered runway at RAF Bitteswell, suffering minimal damage. After repair, the Gannet was back in the air within weeks.[9]

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BAIL-OUT PARACHUTES GOOD

23 January 1964 – Royal Navy Fairey Gannet ECM.6 XG832 suffered double engine failure caused by a phosphor bronze bushing on the idler gear of the port engine's primary accessory drive failing. Fine metal particles from the gear were carried away by the shared oil system of the two engines, causing both to be destroyed. All three crew bailed out near St. Austell and survived.[5]

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FLIGHTSIM

https://modemworld.me/2018/01/13/flying-the-clsa-fairey-gannet-in-second-life/

ModelVISION!

https://finescale.com/product-info/kit-reviews/2008/11/revell-germany-1-72-scale-fairey-gannet-as1-4

https://www.diecastairplane.com/store/p/53597-Fairey-Gannet-AS-1-ANGK-LAUT-Indonesian-Navy-1962-1-72.html

Semper Airborne!