Testing at Llanbedr today
 

Just seen some Hawks flying at Llanbedr today. It looks like they are firing cannon at some targets. Can anybody confirm if the RAF operates these with the cannon pods? Certainly looked like a lot of fun.....

The Hawk is not operated in a combat role by the RAF - just as an advanced trainer.

Max - Yes the Hawks can carry a 30mm Aden cannon pod and even carry a pair of Sidewinders if required. Seem to remember they also had a wartime role in this configuration defending our Precious Islands!

Firing at Llanbedr
 

As someone who visits the area regularly I think I can say with certainty that nobody will be firing any live air to ground ordnance at Llanbedr at the moment. It is closely bounded on 3 sides by human habitation and hundreds of caravans, SFAIK there is no danger area declared there, or proposed. Practice attack profiles, maybe; live firing - I don't think so!

Rumour had it that the RN EFTS Bulldogs had a war role - assessing post-attack damage IIRC :uhoh:

The Hawk was I believe also capable, or intended, to carry Sea Eagle.

As for Llanbedr, lights off, doors closed and keys handed over to developers.

Where do they do the academic strafe on Hawks - Pembrey, still? And where else?

Pembrey.... tis the only place afaik

farmyard smell?
 

I'd take everything Maxy says with a pinch of salt guys....he has been know to write for jackanory when he wants to ;)

Applied for jobs with the "Brothers Grim" and some Danish guy called Anderson I think...but they turned him down, they didnt want to be upstaged!

RAF Hawks
 

Perhaps Clarkson's making another video - it's a target-rich zone for caravan hunters ...:)

I could think of one Caravan down there I'd like him to hit right now!

Wasn't the idea with the air defence Hawks to pair two of them up with a single F3 to act as a sort of mini AWACS and provide short-range (last ditch?) air defence?

Mixed Fighter Force
 

Correct guys, it used to be called MFF. The F3 would lead the 3 ship to the fight under GCI and maybe fire a couple of sparrows to break up the formation, then our 2 x Hawks would pile in with the sidewinders for the good old Battle of Britain digfight.
I remember that the imfamous "Wedge" departed from a hawk back seat (much to the dismay of the bloke in the front) on such a trip when he thought that the Hawks were about to collide during a cross over turn.
How we all laughed!!

If he had hit the brakes he'd had flown right by eh?;)

Not to mention 190 gallon tanks:ooh:

Ahh, Kingston Sales Department - how we laughed!:ugh:


Took me about three years to get that deleted from Janes:uhoh:

GG

Could they have been Royal Navy Hawks?

Maybe Maxy writes for "Janes" to ?!! ;)