in the late 1950s, the royal navy operated the piston-engined douglas a-1 skyraider from its aircraft carriers in the aew role. however, the skyraider was a design that originated during the second world war. it entered service with the rn in 1951 but, owing to its world war ii vintage, would be considered obsolete by the late 50s. as a consequence, the royal navy issued its directive aew.154 to begin planning for a replacement for the skyraider. the aircraft considered most suitable for this were seen as those already under development for the navy's gr.17/45 specification for a new anti-submarine aircraft, of which the front runners were the blackburn b-54/b-88 and the fairey type q/17. in this competition, it was the fairey aviation aircraft that proved the winner, eventually entering service as the gannet.