First released in 1956 as 331 P the Fairey Gannet, despite being rather crude was and remains a good kit with lots of potential to super detail and convert. One major drawback is that no cockpit detail exists and rather crude pilots heads are moulded under the canopy. In Britain of the late 1950s Frog models were very popular and the Gannet was considered a true replica of the real Aircraft, remember this was long before computers, the internet or mobile phones! How many of today’s youngsters would even consider a Frog model?
The box top of an early version
To quote Lines & Hellstrom’s book Frog Model Aircraft “ The Gannet is quite likely unrivalled by any other kit ever produced in that it holds the distinction, of being the Frog kit most copied and released by other manufactures”
The model carried Frog numbers 331P, F331, and F228. Production commenced in Merton in 1956 and carried on to the demise of Frog in 1976. Production continued as part of the Merton to Moscow deal and amazingly the Gannet is still being produced sixty years later, it has been moulded in many different colours from light blue to a rather strange brown but the mould has survived. Revell also produced the Gannet.
The Donetsk Toy Factory version still with the number F228
Interestingly the Helston Aero Park commissioned Novo in 1979 to produce a Gannet for sale at the Park to tie in with their exhibit, it carried the catalogue number CAPK 1 Other models were planned to be released including the Seahawk but this does not appear to have happened. The instructions and the insert promoted the Aero Park.
The model was moulded in black plastic of a reasonable quality and retailed for £1.50 The original WN464 has been allegedly scrapped.
The Cornwall Aero Park edition from 1979 This is a very rare model made in the USSR and is in my collection
Rear view of the Aero Park release I suspect the decals are original Frog as the Russian versions were of very bad quality
The Gannet Inside Story
The following images show the Frog Inside Story Gannet (F145) issued in 1965. The box was of a complicated design that resembled a book and included cutaway illustrations of the aircraft. other than the Gannet only three other kits were issued the Spitfire, FW 190 and Hunter (all of which I have in my collection). My example shown below still contains the Glue, Paint, Brush and Lead weights, so the model will sit on its nose wheel.. The paint and Glue have long since dried up, Health and Safety I am sure would have something to say about Lead. The Model is moulded in a nice light blue.
The Gannet is yet another Frog model that has survived from the 1950’s to date, a fine tribute to the mould makers at Merton.
© Frog Model Aircraft April 2021