A Hawker Hunter?

[5025]

Yesterday evening ~17:00 hrs I was driving south on the A1 past the village of Reston, Scottish Borders. Two aircraft crossed in front of me at about maybe 600 or 700ft altitude, flying in a roughly N to S direction. The nearest of the two aircraft looked like a Hawker Hunter, didn't get a close look at the other one.

I'm pretty certain it was a Hunter, as I used to play rugby on a pitch near the end of R28 at Lossie in the early 1970's, over the switch period between HMS Fulmar/RAF Lossie. Often saw Hunters both with and without the orange training markings in those days.

Are there any Hunters still flying, or do any NATO Air Forces fly a lookalike, or should I consult an optician/head doctor?

Thanks folks.

[tarantonight]

There are still airworthy Hunters around. Some down at Kemble in Oxfordshire and possibly Exeter Airport - used to be certainly re Ex. Maybe one or two at Bournmouth, Hurn?

Head Doctor might not be needed...............just a wee glass of Highland Park.

TN.

[Archimedes]

Yep, there are quite a few Hunters still flying, in civilian hands.

Indeed, two from Hawker Hunter Aviation (ex Swiss AF F58s) were given MoD serials (ZZ190 and ZZ191 - not sad enough to know that outright, had to google it. Honest...) as part of a contract HHA won to support trials or training (I forget which) and I think that is still ongoing.

(HHA have a dozen or so F58s, and the way things are going, may find themselves doing QRA as part of a PFI deal....)

[sycamore]

Lebanon have started operating their Hunters again...search `airliners.net`

[tarantonight]

Maybe we should send them to Cyprus to back up the one Typhoon we have left. There is JP5 in a field near Bristol Airport. Bit of spit and polish, we can send that too......................

TN

[5025]

Thanks for the replies folks. Head doctor appointment is cancelled, I'll try the Highland Park alternative at the weekend!

[Corporal Clott]

Here's a picture to look at whilst you enjoy that Scotch - these 2 are on the UK register...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2982858374_a2a7117a85.jpg

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

Great pic! I wonder if the glut of ex-RAF Hawk T1s which will hit the market in the next few years will bring about the demise of the various Hunter operations (in 'working' mode at least, rather than purely for displays).

[XV277]

Indeed, two from Hawker Hunter Aviation (ex Swiss AF F58s) were given MoD serials (ZZ190 and ZZ191 - not sad enough to know that outright, had to google it. Honest...) as part of a contract HHA won to support trials or training (I forget which) and I think that is still ongoing.


Type 45 trials - one of them has taken to wearing 'Royal Navy' titles. Last single seat jet to do so!

[622]

Do the RNHF still fly the Sea Hawk ?

..Single seat and in Navy colours.

[TSR2Eagle]

Achimedes wrote;
(HHA have a dozen or so F58s, and the way things are going, may find themselves doing QRA as part of a PFI deal....)

Ah! Memories of that classic of all fighters low level through the glens of Scotland and the valleys of South Wales...

No need to spend millions on Close Air Support training and/or development, as with Typhoon, the Hunter FGA9 proved itself very quickly to be fit-for-purpose and ready to go at comparatively very short notice...

[JEM60]

Team Viper have at least five airworthy Hunters at Exeter, doing Airshow stuff this year. The RNHF most certainly do have an airworthy Sea Hawk in Navy colours, and very beautiful it is too!.
Not so long ago, maybe 9 years, the 50th Anniversary of the Hunter was held at Kemble. There was a formation of 15, yes 15 privately owned Hunters in the display, and a glorious sight it was!!

[TSR2Eagle]

JEM60 wrote;
There was a formation of 15, yes 15 privately owned Hunters...

That's good; one complete squadron plus three in reserve!

[hunty]

Gents

Hunter Flying do operate a large number of Hunters from Exeter and Team Viper display team fly five Hunters. Anyone interested in seeing the beloved Hunter should make their way to Kemble (June 18/19th) where the 60th anniversary of the Hunters first flight will be commemorated. Should be a good one.

Hope this helps

Hunty :ok:

[BEagle]

Well bugger me with a fishfork! 60th anniversary!

My first RAF logbook includes the following entry:

20 July 1976 Hunter F6A XJ634 Self - Hunter 25th anniversary flypast (escorting Neville Duke) 0:50

There were 4 x F6A flown by Tim Webb, Geoff Steggell, 'Puddy'Catt and myself; the T7 flew up from Dunsfold flown by Wg Cdr Neal and Neville Duke - we met it and escorted into Brawdy in a 5-ship vic, then out to initials and back in for the break. My thanks to whoever it was who had sufficient confidence that I wouldn't cock it up completely that I was allowed to be #3 in a 5-ship flat turn.....:hmm:

The press, however, were more interested in getting piccies of the Meteor F8 and one of the 'Strikemouse' JP4s in camouflage parked next to each other. We didn't make the news either as the Americans had just landed something on Mars, IIRC!

'They' thought at the time that we should keep quiet about having aircraft in service for 25 years......:ugh:

[hunty]

BEagle

Have you any photos of the event at Brawdy you could share with us?

Hunty :hmm:

[MATELO]

The BBC one show have just done a piece on aircraft.

Might be worth catching on IPlayer.

[Duncan D'Sorderlee]

I've just seen Dan Snow on the TV in a Hunter with another in the background in the Viper display team - in fact there's now a 3rd!

He's interviewing Eric 'Winkle' Brown.

Duncs:ok:

[spekesoftly]

Yes, some excellent aerial shots of Hunters on "The One Show" (BBC1 at about 19:10)

[Noah Zark.]

Can anyone tell me, is it possible to have a flight in any of these magificent machines in exchange for a pecuniary disbursement? (or even if you pay for it?)

[Geehovah]

Can anyone tell me, is it possible to have a flight in any of these magificent machines in exchange for a pecuniary disbursement?

As HHA are a commercial organisation I'm sure it would be possible given appropriate remuneration. Give them a call at Scampton.(or e

[JEM60]

A friend of mine had a ride in Delta Jets black two-seater six years ago. Cost £1200 IIRC. He asked me to video the whole affair, including ejection lecture etc. It was his 50th birthday. He flew with Brian Grant [Sea vixen Display Pilot]. I was using a friends video camera, and filmed the whole thing with NO TAPE IN IT!!!:uhoh::uhoh::uhoh:
He never really forgave me, but I no longer have to feel embarrassed about it, as my great friend lost his life in a car crash last year. Contact Delta Jets at Kemble.

[kemblejet01]

Re: Hunter Flights.

Deltajets do. But it is eye-wateringly expensive and likely to get worse with the seemingly unstoppable increase in the price of gas.

Ref the 60th anniversary at Kemble Air Day - big plans for something special.

KMB01

[moggiee]

I'm pretty sure that these are the Hunters that were down here in Al Ain (UAE) for the recent airshow. All told we had 4 Hunters here and their displays were just magic.

I didn't bother to watch any of the nasty little piston powered jobs doing their displays.

[hunty]

Team Viper fly with five jets. Comprising two T-7s, a GA-11, plus a PR-11 (wich is the oldest airworthy Hunter flying), and a FGA-9.

Cheers

Hunty :cool:

[Mandator]

Ah, BEagle, you are giving the game away now. I remember the day well. Wasn't Neville Duke flown in from Boscombe by Tony Neale? I seem to remember quite a lot of press coverage, in the aviation press at least. I am sure I have some cuttings tucked away somewhere in my Brawdy file.

[its the bish]

11.45hrs today, a brace of Hawker Hunters doing a few circuits over Blue Anchor Bay near Minehead, Somerset, such a beautiful sight, possibly Exeter based? Thanks anyway chaps, really made my day :ok:

[Samuel]

I doubt very much if the two 20 Sqn pilots [then at Tengah] would remember this, but in 1966 I was an airman on 14 Sqn RNZAF [Canberra B12] based at Tengah, and somehow found myself attached to the RAF for an air-to-ground target shoot at the Asahan Range in Malaya. The shoot was run by two 20 Sqn Hunter pilots and , with not a lot to do, I pitched in to help wherever I could, as you do!

I had driven up there in a Landrover, and the 20 Sqn lot were in a three-tonner carrying all the gear and driven by one of these pilots. Come the day of return to Tengah and I'm approached by said pilots and asked if I could drive a truck, which I could, and they then asked if they could take my Landrover back to Tengah while I drove the truck. They apparently had an important Mess function to attend!

Realising what a large favour I was delivering, I innocently asked if there would ever be an opportunity for a ride in the 20 Sqn T-bird? Some days later, and back in the normal routine of Tengah, and having forgotten entirely about the possibility of the Hunter flight, I was contacted by 20 and asked if I was free to fly? With permission from my Boss [CO 14] I was off over the other side to the 20 pan in seconds, and had a wonderful 30 minutes in a Hunter. Dreams do come true now and then! Of all the rides I've had, that took the cake!

[Lukeafb1]

Whilst working in Aberdeen recently, I regularly passed a T7 in the front garden of a small factory unit in Maryculter/Peterculter (8 miles from Aberdeen). It appeared to have Dutch markings. Anyone know the significance of it being there?

[jindabyne]

Whoever you were ( not on this thread), please resurrect the 20 Sqn Thread!

Apologies if I've got it mucked up --

[deebchamoun]

please champs,can anybody tell me where to find hunter parts for sale???

[Samuel]

There's even one in New Zealand...taken at the RNZAF 75th Anniversary Airshow 31st March

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e33/Shadblat/Hunter01.jpg

[Trojan1981]

Queen of the Skies! :ok:

[im from uranus]

Whilst working in Aberdeen recently, I regularly passed a T7 in the front garden of a small factory unit in Maryculter/Peterculter (8 miles from Aberdeen). It appeared to have Dutch markings. Anyone know the significance of it being there?This one? (http://www.albapower.co.uk/latest-news/hawker-hunter-back-at-its-best-stonehaven-news-stv-local/)

:ok:

[A2QFI]

Looks really good. The news reporter on the case needs a bit of re-briefing IMO. Re the engine fitted to the Hunter (Various Avons?) he/she said

"The only other jets to use the same type of engine were the Vulcan bomber and Concorde."

[Green Flash]

Cracking pic Sam:ok: Reefing it round with the condensation forming on the wings, Most Excellent. If it's your pic, permission to set it as my desktop please?

[Samuel]

Cracking pic Sam Reefing it round with the condensation forming on the wings, Most Excellent. If it's your pic, permission to set it as my desktop please?

My son's actually, but by all means use it as you wish.

Pilot is Dave Phillips, ex-RNZAF and Cathay IIRC, and owner of the Hunter F74 which is ex-Singapore Air Force but formally an RAF machine!

[Green Flash]

Sam - done! Many thanks. A machine of considerable beauty and the blue note .... oh, the blue note .....:ok:

[Samuel]

He was 'blue-noting' at both the RNZAF 75th show on the 31st, and at Wanaka over Easter. There are now thousands of new converts!