The Ugliest Warplane of All Time that Shocked Everyone

The Fairey Gannet is an innovative post-WWII experiment that, for the very first time, gave the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm a dedicated anti-submarine plane. The plane’s unconventional design often makes it a contender as one of the ugliest warplanes of all time. 

1. It Embodied Function Over Form

The plane’s radar equipment has its nose in a large, bulbous shape. Its Double Mamba turboprop engines caused an ungainly bulge at the center of the fuselage.

Meanwhile, its folding wings, oversized tail fin, and horizontal stabilizers contributed to its curious silhouette.

2. The Crews Were Seated In A Unique Way

The Gannet had a unique seating configuration for its three crew members. The pilot sat in a conventional cockpit at the front, while the observer and radar operator sat in a separate, tandem arrangement within a large canopy located just behind the cockpit.

This layout was designed to optimize visibility and operational efficiency for ASW missions.

3. The Gannett Had Foldable Wings For Carrier Operations

It was designed for operation from aircraft carriers, which required efficient use of limited deck space. To accommodate this, the Gannet featured folding wings, allowing it to be more compact when stowed aboard a carrier.

The wings folded in two places, making it particularly space-efficient.

4. Although ostensibly ugly, Royal Navy pilots grew to admire the plane

Pilots grew to love the Gannet’s smooth, silky control surfaces and easy-riding flight characteristics coupled with thick, straight wings, and dual sets of winglets on either side of the plane’s elevator control surfaces.  

5. Today, more than two dozen Fairey Gannets are on display in museums all over the world

This includes countries like Australia, Germany, the UK, and the US. One is even still in airworthy condition in Wisconsin.