Ex military jets

[Dr Jekyll]

What ex military jets might yet gain a permit to fly in the UK? Presumably anything in the complex category would be very difficult.

The Jaguar is presumably classified as complex, though probably easier in some respects than the Sea Vixen or a (theoretically possible) Buccaneer.

What about the Hawk or Alpha jet? Would they really be harder to fly and maintain than the Hunter or Gnat?

[the_flying_cop]

I can only pray that a buccaneer returns to the sky one day.

[ian16th]

I can only pray that a buccaneer returns to the sky one day.

What happened to the Thunder City A/C?

They had 3 Bucc's.

[the_flying_cop]

I believe they have been in storage for some years since the company wound up. I'm not sure what would be involved in reviving them.

[Jhieminga]

I think they got one Lightning back in the air a few years back. Haven't heard anything about the company since though.

[pmills575]

Looking at this link they appear to be very much alive!

Welcome to Thunder City (http://www.thundercity.com/)

[EGGW]

Still flying gents

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk5LzAhaHRw

EGGW

[Simplythebeast]

Fantastic video from the Buccaneer. Oh to see one of those flying again.

[exmanman]

Dr Jekyll

I too was curious about the Hawk T1 in an earlier thread, I posted (my post in italics):

Hawk T1
A question if I may,

The theoretical answer would be based on CAP632 - see Ch4 and the Harrier for all sorts of reasons would be a "Complex" type. All* current UK ex-Mil Jets are 'Intermediate' (JPs, Hunters etc.). 'Complex' types have a high hurdle of engineering support, in principle equivalent to "manufacturers' support", in order to get a Permit to Fly.

Would the Hawk T1 be classed as intermediate? I have often wondered if some may eventually be disposed of in a similar way to the Hunters in the eighties, mainly because I then might be able to fulfill a long held desire to fly in one (mortgage notwithstanding).

I got the reply from Anonystude:

exmanman -- I wondered that one myself; I fear it'd be Complex as it's not got manual reversion for the flying controls, only hydraulics...

Original thread here:

http://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/462949-harrier-civillian-hands.html

Re the Bucc, interestingly HHA at Scampton have this on their website:

After over 2750 hours of design verification and critical system analysis work by HHA staff, the aircraft was classified in the BCAR A8-20 ‘Complex’ category for civilian use.

From Hawker Hunter Aviation | » Blackburn Buccaneer S2B (http://hunterteam.com/developmentNovember2014/Buccaneer/)

It should be said that HHA are not a display team or in the business of pleasure flights it would seem. Whether it will ever fly is beyond me. They also have an SU22 Fitter!

[Preon]

Always struck me that a Hawker Seahawk would have been a splendid 'Gentlemans Carriage' with great visibility, quiet and with docile handling having unswept wings.
As there are no examples in civil ownership I must have missed something?
I do remember seeing one parked at Mumbai in the early eighties.

[chevvron]

There's a Seahawk at Dunsfold. I think it's owned by 'Aces High' but as far as I know it's not flyable.

[treadigraph]

Royal Navy Historic Flight have a Seahawk though I haven't seen it flying for a while, don't know if it is still airworthy.

[Newforest2]

Always struck me that a Hawker Seahawk would have been a splendid 'Gentlemans Carriage' with great visibility, quiet and with docile handling having unswept wings.
As there are no examples in civil ownership I must have missed something?
I do remember seeing one parked at Mumbai in the early eighties.

There is a civilian example extant in the U.S. It is N994WM (G-SEAH) which is hiding in a garage somewhere on the east coast.

[the_flying_cop]

I'd better start saving up then! SA here we come (c.2040)

[the_flying_cop]

It would appear that They shut down in 2010 according to wiki. Something to do with a lightning crash and subsequent inspection of the maintenance outfit. :(

[DaveReidUK]

Royal Navy Historic Flight have a Seahawk though I haven't seen it flying for a while, don't know if it is still airworthy.

RNHF website implies that it still is:

Royal Navy Historic Flight - Hawker/Armstrong-Whitworth Sea Hawk (http://www.royalnavyhistoricflight.org.uk/aircraft/seahawk.htm)

[ian16th]

Looking at this link they appear to be very much alive!

Welcome to Thunder City (http://www.thundercity.com/)No activity on that website for over 5 years!

So not very much alive.

[India Four Two]

I'd better start saving up then!

the_flying_cop,

TC was on my bucket list too, until the report came out!

I was going to point you to the report, which is very sobering reading, but it has disapeared from the SACAA website. Does anyone know where to look for it?

[JW411]

I had it in my mind that they got one of their Lightnings airborne again last year.

[treadigraph]

Does anyone know where to look for it?

http://www.caa.co.za/Accidents%20and%20Incidents%20Reports/8706.pdf

[DHfan]

They (he?) got one flying again in January last year.
No idea whether that was a one-off or it's flown since.

[India Four Two]

treaders,

Thanks for the link. I thought perhaps they had hidden it due it being so embarrassing to all concerned. Cynical, moi?

[the_flying_cop]

GOOD LORD!!!! That certainly makes for some interesting reading.

[Flybiker7000]

http://www.caa.co.za/Accidents%20and%20Incidents%20Reports/8706.pdf
I think this documents why vintage military jets tend to be denounced 'complex'. Furthermore it certainly shows how some owner and operators ignore this fact and desperately maintain the classics as were they Sopwith Camel's =:-o

Between the lines it is to read that the procedure of the Lightning was ejecting almost at any trouble and fire was the most seen defect.