Fairey Gannet.
With the moulded Fairey 14s now very much an established part of the racing scene in the UK, Boat Sales Manager and dinghy supremo Charles Currey picked up on the idea of a 14ft boat that could be more easily sailed by 'mixed' teams. At last, ladies, lead by Charles indomitable wife Bobbie, were leaving the idea of staying behind - proving themselves to be skillful and valuable crews.
Charles idea was to take a 14 hull and deck it, much in the style of the Mk 1 Firefly. At the time Fairey Aviation was supplying the Fleet Air Arm with Fairey Gannets, a plane that once fitted with an underbelly radar dome, performed the function of carrier borne 'early warning'. The name was taken and applied to the new boat and the new class, the Fairey Gannet was born.
Sadly, the boat never prospered. The Swordfish, then the Albacore proved to be a more attractive proposition and before long the Gannet was dropped.
The first pictures shown are courtesy of Rupert Whelan, who worked on a Gannet. The pictures show the boat still decked, then stripped down for restoration.
At least one Gannet is known to have survived, care of the MDL collection. At some point it is hoped that pictures of this boat can be taken and shown here.
If anyone knows of a Gannet that is sailing - or even just looking for a home where it can be restored, please let me know at...
photos courtesy R Whelan