Hi guys. An update to the Hawk 200 and Hawk 200 RDA:
After further review we have concluded that the underside of the Hawk 200 and Hawk 200 RDA are sadly not compatible with the 30mm ADEN pod featured on later production variants. If any clear evidence is found that can show some additional clarification, we welcome this via a report for investigation
We apologize for the misunderstanding and have updated the blog.
What about the Hawk 200 Brochure showing the gun pod
Not the 205 or 208 or 209
It physically doesn’t fit on the aircraft and there are no images of a real pod fitted unfortunately. There are brochures that mention it and a standard T.1A gunpod placed underneath a mock-up Hawk 200. But we need things spesific to ZH200 or JZ201.
The fact it mentions “ordered by 3 oversees customers” likely means this brochure was at a point past ZH200 or JZ201 and already referring to the production models.
Out of curiosity, how was this conclusion reached? As far as my knowledge there aren’t any major changes to the Hawk’s airframe between the RDA and the Production Hawk.
Alternatively, has it been considered to make the RDA one of the production Hawk 200s instead? Because 11.0 with only 9L and Skyflash without a gun is not going to be great.
The pod was attempted to be mounted on the 200 / 200 RDA and it doesn’t fit on the underside due to the shape. There were changes between ZJ201 and production model 203/208/209s.
This is likely why there is also no images of ZH200 or ZJ201 with pods. ZH200 was originally shown off with its internal cannons as the main feature (thus lack of need of a pod) and ZJ201 largely followed the overall shape of ZH200, with the main difference being the dropping of cannons and implementation of the radar.
The logical next step of development would be to improve the structure underneath to reallow the fitting of external cannon pods for customers. As can be seen in the production examples.
100% certain the Pod is modeled right?
Yes. It has all been reviewed.
I appreciate that, but what about changing the RDA aircraft to one of the production Hawk 200s instead?
I understand that would require remodelling and most likely would mean it won’t be ready for this major, or maybe even next if it interferes with current plans, but would make the aircraft far more playable, and would open the door for an Indonesian or Malaysian hawk to be given to the Japanese tree if the developers wish.
There are plenty of images of the Production Hawks fitted with the gunpod in service with all nations that use it. And the likes of Oman would almost certainly not affect any plans for subtrees or new nations.
Its not possible to do that in this major update. As we mentioned in the blog, there is always a possibility of other Hawks in the future, including for other nations. ZJ201 gets the tradeoff of Skyflashes. Which are also unique to it.
Thank you, I guess I now have to spend an unhealthy amount of time trying to find something to give it the gunpod.
I am 100% coping, but please let this mean the Hawk T.1 and Hawk 100 are coming if the pod is modelled
I have also been looking myself for JZ201, as have the devs. Sadly no joy thus far, hence this outcome :(
How do you guys feel about hawk 200 being 10.7?
The flight performance is abysmal, turns badly, accelerates very badly, bad energy retention, slow AF. The only thing it has is 4 aim9L. It will be one of those jets that can get a few easy kills in a full downtier but at 10.7 you will fight 11.7 80% of the time right now.
The most comparable jet is the Alpha Jet TH that has all aspect aim9p, but that thing is a very good dogfighter in comparison and accelerates far better. Only thing worse is that you don’t have RWR and its annoying when facing R-24R missiles in uptiers. The Alpha Jet TH isn’t really great at 10.7, the Hawk 200 will just be easy food for anything that has flares
Hawk T.1, T.2 and 132 (Indian subtree) are good options
I’m assuming they have gunpods since they’re exports in service
That brochure also seems to indicate the thrust is too low ingame
5,845 lbst (Lbf)or 26kn thrust is listed there which equals 2,650 kgf of thrust.
Ingame the engine only produces 2,390kgf.
This may not take into account power loss, I may need a second opinion.
The T.2 imo wouldn’t offer much to game over the T.1 as neither gets countermeasures, and finding armament for the T.2 in the RAF is far more difficult than alternatives.
The Hawk 100 would be functionally identical to the T.2 except it gets 60 countermeasures, and as it’s an export vehicle, it has a lot more diverse armament options available, although I do agree more Hawks are welcome.
If the 132 doesn’t become premium, it would also be the first tech tree Indian jet. That would be nice considering India has been Britain’s sub for a while now and it’s mostly a premium sub for now lol
A T.1 limited to its gunpod + unguided bombs and rockets could actually be quite fun. Pretty much would be like the 8.7 Alpha Jets.
This would be the best solution if that’s where we are going.
I thought
‘Aircraft in war thunder are not necessarily tied to one singular serial aircraft’.
Just make it a production Hawk 200, honestly I’d just hold it back from the update until a new model is ready, as I sincerely doubt Gaijin will model another production hawk 200.
Or replace the 200 RDA with a 200 production when the gunpod is available and modelled on a production variant.
Hi Smin, please feedback that we sincerely appreciate the transparency and the breakdown as always regardless of whether its disappointing or positive news.