Hunter FGA Performance

[Pontius Navigator]

Can any expert out there tell me about the Hunter's performance in the GA role?

Specifically, what mark of Hunter in Singapore in 1964? Was it 20 Sqn?

Was a full load 2 x 1 000lb, plus 2 tanks plus gun pack?

What range could it achieve with bomb plus guns and tank jettison when empty?

[Jackonicko]

They were FGA.Mk 9s.....

[Archimedes]

Yes, it was 20 Sqn at Tengah.

AIUI, the 1000lb bombs could only be carried on the inboard pylons (for CoG reasons). Most photos of 20 Sqn at the time show the FGA 9s carrying two 230(?) gallon tanks on the inboard pylons and tiers of rockets outboard:

http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/images/hunter19.jpg

[NutherA2]

Rumour had it that the 230 gallon jugs had more than one benefit at Tengah. It was said that one pilot (OC20 ?) having landed at night called the tower to say he couldn't clear the runway & thought his brakes had seized. It turned out he'd omitted to lower the wheels and was neatly perched on the 230's. No other damage to the airframe, but we wondered whether 20 Sqn night landings always felt like that.:E

[Pontius Navigator]

Thanks to all for confirming unit and aircraft but anyone like to give me an estimate of combat ROA?

[brickhistory]

With 2 x 230 g drop tanks, 2 x 1000lb, and up to 6 x 3 in rockets, the combat radius was around 230NM.

Sources:
Hunters by Martin Bowman
Hawker Hunter by Francis Mason
www.warbird alley.com

[Pontius Navigator]

Thanks Brick, now I have to find their targets <g>

[factanonverba]

Now, they were the days!