Sorry Pontius, your sarcasm was wasted on me... Monday morning and all that? :)

Not sure what Cornish is talking about? I don't think the Hunter was ever used to develop chemical weapons as such, it was more about exploring dispersion techniques?

Actually it's the Canberra (WV787) that has a more interesting history in terms of chemical weapons. Arguably the most "deadly" aircraft ever to carry British military markings, had its tanks been filled with active ingredients. A greatly overlooked aeroplane, tucked in a corner of a museum now :(

Anything with a nuclear weapon was a lot more deadly.

Too late! They've already got to you.

Anything with a nuclear weapon was a lot more deadly.

Not true. If you look at the statistics the Canberra comes out on top.

Yes, evil baddies test chemical weapons. Our brave boys "explore dispersing techniques". Just like "they" have spy planes. We have reconnaissance aircraft.

Or as the mighty Jaguar called it on the weapons selector panel, Bombs Fire.

The truth is out there :p

http://worldtruth.tv/chemtrail-whistleblower-speaks/

Shh, say no more, somebody might make a bid to kidnap XE601 *eek*

I am amazed at how much gets written about chem trails.

The mind boggles at the thought processes these people go through
to come up with some of this stuff.

I always wondered what would happen if the Sovs decided to invade in Supertankers :E

All that firepower!

A small tactical nuke would have saved all that effort....:E

And as a devout Cornishman, and proud of it I am damn glad you were not involved in that there decision making process.....

Look on the bright side Cornish, you wouldn't need contraception...

I was home on leave and present at the scene watching at least 2 of the strikes. Must admit to being underwhelmed at the RAFs effort (I was myself in Crab Air at the time). The FAA at least hit the huge stationary thing on occasion which was somewhat better than the junior service. Prime Minister Wilson took so long to decide to destroy it the cargo of oil had cooled making combustion harder.

re. Hunter with 'special' stores ...
 

re. Hunter with 'special' stores ... I have in my files a late 50's Kingston drawing showing Hunter F.6 with a 'Red Beard' nuclear store on an inboard pylon. I am not sure if this was actually intended to be used in service or possibly as an emergency measure, I will endeavour to dig it out and check dates etc.


the note re Mk.'s FGA.9 and T.8 are intriguing especially the dates, 1964 and 1966 (might suggest WE.177 ?) altho I am wondering if the Royal Navy had the requirement to carry anything the RAF. versions didn't ?


napalm tanks were part of the types potential armament and were based upon the smaller size drop tank, altho once again photographs showing same are extremely rare (as with most 'special' weapons)


cheers, Joe

That sounds fascinating, I'd love to see the drawing. I would have thought Red Beard would have been way too big for under-wing carriage so that should be worth seeing!

If the notes refer to 64-66 I guess WE.177 might have been an option, but as you say, there was no requirement. The notes refer to FGA9 and T8 so that's both the RAF and Navy but it's difficult to see why any Hunter would be required to carry RB or 177. Maybe it was just a company-inspired fit in anticipation of a requirement that didn't actually exist.

Could Hunters have carried some of the dual-keyed US Weapons (e.g. the B28)?

Red Beard entered service in Apr 1960. AFAIK the Mk 28 was only supplied to the Valiant and Canberra forces under Project Echo.

RB was 12ft 10in long and 28 inch diameter. As well as the girth you would need further clearance of perhaps 2 feet or so to manoeuvre the gauntlet* into the implosion sphere.

In May 1963 OR1178 settled the aircraft at 11 types for the WE177A these included the P1154 but no mention of the Hunter at any point.

*

In the late '80s outside the guard room at RAF Finningley were some white painted metal planters. These were Red Beard gauntlet containers. I wonder how many recognised them for what they were?