Virgo,

The Hunter (mks 1, 4 and 6 in my experience) was fun to fly but never "excelled as an interceptor". It had problems with pitch response at high M, not cured until the rapid folow-up trim came in, coupled with the usual transonic nose down trim and very strong nose down trim if you used flap. First off, you couldn't fire the guns at height as the flame went out. When that was cured four guns cracked the structure round the gun bay, and we were limited to two guns at a time. That fixed, they found gun firing tipped the nose down and spoilt your aim, and brought in the gun exhaust deflectors.

By this time the Hunter had become a good ground attack aircraft, but the world had moved on. The 4 struggled with the F86E and was outclassed by the F100.

Dick

Dick W.......Yeah, OK you're right. I suppose I should have said it was a BETTER fighter than the Swift.................but a lot prettier !

I don't remember the Hunter being outclassed by the F100. I do remember tracking an F100 from the rear and watching as he slowly accelerated out of range by lighting his after burners.

Or am I thinking of another target?

Victor Golf-Ray Hanna
 

VG

Ray Hanna was indeed a pilot on 79 Squadron at RAF Gutesloh, and did indeed fly the Swift (and I assume the Meteor also, before they converted).

The Tangmere Swift
 

Northolt Swift