You're right, TC. It's planes and superb pilots would have made short work of Argentina's tatty strike force and saved many lives (on both sides), by shortening the conflict. Alas, our revered leaders, of either party, are ever ready to cut defence costs and leave our forces totally exposed. They did it yet again when they scrapped the 'Ark'. Some things never change!
Ah, that's the theory. They had the SeaKing (and other helos) for short range sub hunting, and Nimrods for long range - what possible advantage would the Gannet have given? None that I can see.
The Sheffield was of course hit by an Exocet not a torp. and as the Nimrods were based 1000s of miles away and the Sea Kings were mostly ill-equiped to detect low flying aircraft It seemed to me that a couple of Gannets on the Hermes (assuming the ol' gals could clear the 'ski-jump' !) could have stooged around for hours on one of their two A.S. Mambas and vastly increased the radar cover protecting the Task Force.
Perhaps might have been better off if The Ark Royal had still been in service then not only would Gannets have been available but also Phantoms and Buccaneers.
Sweet .. Thanks for posting.
Oscar9900 5 months ago
was that Harry Enfield commenting?
bombdoc42 8 months ago
This was a clip from the programme I was watching !! "Classic British Aircraft"
piskeylowe 1 year ago
I was the Safety Equipment rating on 820"Spangle" Sqd 1957/58 on HMS Bulwark
babykinsonline 1 year ago
@babykinsonline My old man may have been with you on Bulwark at the same time. :)
grumble1953 1 month ago
I presume it got the name gannet from the way its wings folded, or thats probably me thinking Im smarter than I actually am
Mr912Lancer 1 year ago
Witty Wings has a 1/72 diecast model coming out this year for you diecast airplanes collectors.
artwleb 2 years ago
You're right, TC. It's planes and superb pilots would have made short work of Argentina's tatty strike force and saved many lives (on both sides), by shortening the conflict. Alas, our revered leaders, of either party, are ever ready to cut defence costs and leave our forces totally exposed. They did it yet again when they scrapped the 'Ark'. Some things never change!
Droxy1940 2 years ago 5
@Droxy1940 They only ever put the idiots in charge
TheExcelsior1 6 months ago
A nice piece of footage of a much ignored aircraft.A couple of these in the Falklands conflict could have saved the 'Sheffield'.
Good quality vid. too. So much stuff on YT is utter tripe.
Droxy1940 3 years ago 6
Ah, that's the theory. They had the SeaKing (and other helos) for short range sub hunting, and Nimrods for long range - what possible advantage would the Gannet have given? None that I can see.
rockyPants4000 3 years ago
Thanks for your comment Rocky!
The Sheffield was of course hit by an Exocet not a torp. and as the Nimrods were based 1000s of miles away and the Sea Kings were mostly ill-equiped to detect low flying aircraft It seemed to me that a couple of Gannets on the Hermes (assuming the ol' gals could clear the 'ski-jump' !) could have stooged around for hours on one of their two A.S. Mambas and vastly increased the radar cover protecting the Task Force.
I'm no expert and I'm just theorising!
Droxy1940 3 years ago
Perhaps might have been better off if The Ark Royal had still been in service then not only would Gannets have been available but also Phantoms and Buccaneers.
Thunderchief35 2 years ago