JetBrokers selling former Red Arrows Gnat
A unique opportunity to acquire a piece of aviation history

JetBrokers have gained the exclusive contract to sell one of the original Red Arrows aircraft, a Folland Gnat manufactured in 1963.

It flew its last season with the “Reds” in 1979 and more recently has been in private ownership in Denver, Colorado. The aircraft has some fantastic history and even appeared in the hit movie, Hot Shots, which starred Charlie Sheen as Lt Topper Harley.

Whilst not typical of the jet aircraft that JetBrokers usually buy or sell, the opportunity proved too much for Kandi Spangler, VP-Sales for JetBrokers who is based in their Denver office. She said, “I was approached about the Gnat and immediately liked the idea of being associated with such an amazing piece of aviation history. The Red Arrows are famous throughout the world but clearly buyers for such an aircraft will be limited to a few wealthy enthusiasts, although I am certain there are thousand, probably millions of people who would love to take ownership.”

One of the first enquiries about the aircraft came from Richard Thomas, a former “Red 6”, who’d love the aircraft but sadly doesn’t have the means to keep it flying. He commented, “The Gnat was the best handling aircraft I flew, without exception. The Red Arrows used the aircraft without the external 'slipper' tanks which gave a radius of action of 35 
Kandi Spangler of JetBrokers and present owner Mike Bertz with the Gnat
miles to take off, display and return to the operating base. Therefore, we were short of fuel even before we started up!

"Regarding XR572, the aircraft took me safety through 239 public displays without once letting me down. The aircraft was amazingly serviceable. Every display was memorable, with the minimum clearance height for the synchro pair being 35 feet, but Brands Hatch (the picture of which is attached) was one of the most exciting due to the size of the display datum and the huge crowd. On 17 September 1978 I delivered XR 572 to the Royal Navy at Culdrose so that the aircraft could be used for carrier deck-handling practice; this was a very sad moment for me as I had gained a great affinity with the airframe having been through so much together."

Regional MD of JetBrokers, Tim Barber added, “This is the first time I have been involved in marketing an aircraft of this type but we have had dealings with collectors in Europe, so perhaps we will see this beautiful aircraft heading back to this side of the Atlantic? We’re avid supporters of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, so this is the kind of aviation history we like so much.”

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 16th April 2015 | Issue #316
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