Matchbox – PK-15 (40015) – Gnat T.Mk.1 “The Red Arrows”

Description:

Gnat T.Mk.1
“The Red Arrows”

Unassembled plastic model kit in 1/72 scale of a British Folland Gnat trainer/fighter aircraft introduced in the late 50s and retired in the late 70s. In British service was used as advanced trainer and was the first aircraft flown by the “Red Arrows” RAF aerobatic team created in 1964. In foreign service the Gnat was also used as combat aircraft. The Red Arrows officially replaced other unofficial RAF aerobatic teams, as the Yellowjacks who also flown the Gnat (Red Arrows inherited those Gnats).

Matchbox tooled the Gnat T.Mk.1 in 1972, initially under the name of GNAT MK.1 Trainer, later in the 1983 release added the “Red Arrows” aerobatic team name, with a very very long full title. Finally in 1993 got its last box art and name Gnat T.Mk.1 “The Red Arrows” and the kit haven’t been released since early 90s not even under any other brand.

Despite the name, box arts and code numbers changes, during all its life the kit contained parts for both trainer or “Red Arrows”, the trainer variant just add a couple of external tanks below the wings. Decal sheet also was always the same, one marking for each.