Gnat Display Team

The Gnat Display Team is a UK civilian classic-jet team and part of the Heritage Aircraft Trust (operated by Heritage Aircraft Ltd). The team preserves and flies Folland Gnat aircraft, performing at airshows to showcase British jet training heritage.

Since mid-2024 the team’s home base has been MOD St Athan, Wales (moving from their long-time base at North Weald). The fleet includes multiple Gnat T.1 trainers and a single-seat Gnat F.1 under restoration, with displays typically as a pair or solo depending on serviceability and event requirements.

Type & role. The Folland Gnat is a compact, tandem-seat jet trainer/light fighter designed by W.E.W. Petter. RAF service centred on the Gnat T.1 trainer; the type famously equipped the Yellowjacks and early Red Arrows display teams.

Powerplant & performance. A single Bristol-Siddeley Orpheus turbojet powers the Gnat; the agile airframe and high thrust-to-weight made it ideal for formation aerobatics and advanced jet training.

Team airframes (examples). Historic/regular registrations associated with the team include G-RORI (XR538), G-MOUR (XS102 in Yellowjacks “XR992” scheme), and G-FRCE (XS104).

The Gnat Display Team’s roots go back to a privately owned Gnat at North Weald in the mid-2000s. Acquisition of a second airframe in 2008 formalised the team and enabled pair routines; by 2014 the team achieved three-ship capability thanks to additional restorations.

After the UK’s 2015 display-safety changes for vintage jets, the team continued preservation and public displays within the evolving rules. In 2024 operations relocated to St Athan to consolidate engineering and flying, and the team remains active with solo and pair appearances as airframes become available.

• The Gnat Display Team is part of a registered charity, the Heritage Aircraft Trust, focused on restoration and public display of historic aircraft.
• The team moved from North Weald to MOD St Athan in 2024 to centralise operations and maintenance.
• W.E.W. Petter designed the Gnat; the RAF’s Yellowjacks and the first Red Arrows seasons flew the type.
• Notable team airframes include G-RORI (XR538) and G-MOUR (XS102) in Yellowjacks colours as ‘XR992’.
• The Gnat’s compact size and Orpheus engine gave it superb agility for formation aerobatics.