- Yes
- No
Introduction: The Hawker Hunter can be considered to be one of the greatest British fighter aircraft, serving in various theatres in the air forces of many nations. However, the aircraft got off to a bit of a shaky start, with early variants possessing some teething issues.
Description: The Hunter F.2 is one of the first production variants, entering service more or less alongside the F.1. It is effectively identical to the F.1, the only major difference being the engine; the F.1 used an Avon, whilst the F.2 used a Sapphire. Both types were effectively pre-production test aircraft, as the program was given “super priority” in response to the shock from the Korean War. It was realised that the RAF’s current fleet of frontline fighters, mainly the Meteors and Vampires, were beginning to be outmoded by both the MiG-15s and Sabres, so a replacement which matched and exceeded the performance of these aircraft was needed. However, this led to numerous teething issues with both types. The main issue was a severe lack of fuel, with many aircraft being lost simply for running out of fuel. Another issue occurred when firing guns; as the exhaust gases would be ingested by the engines and cause a flameout. This only happened on the F.1 however, the Sapphire-powered F.2s did not suffer from these issues, and also provided for better fuel economy and performance. The first flight of an F.2 occurred on 14th October, 1953, with production starting soon after, with a total of 45 produced, with 5 lost in accidents. The F.2 was short-lived in RAF service, much like the F.1, due their nature of essentially being pre-production aircraft. The issues from which they suffered in service prevented them from being true frontline types and they were withdrawn once improved variants came along. However, it can be said that the failings of these aircraft would build a solid foundation for the Hunter to thrive on, as once the issues were resolved, the type became a highly successful aircraft.
Performance:
Spoiler
Performance taken from Hunter F.5, as it seems the performance between the two aircraft was more or less identical. Will be replaced if necessary
Fuel and Oil Data:
Internal Fuel Capacity: 388 imperial gallons (202 gallons front tanks, 46 gallons center tanks, 140 gallons wing tanks)
Oil Capacity: 9 pints w/ additional 1.5 pints in engine
Fuel Weight: 2985 lbs (internal only)
Engine Data:
Manufacturer: Armstrong Siddley
Designation: Sapphire ASSa.6 Mk.101
Type: axial-flow turbojet
Compressor Stages: 13-stage
Combustion Chamber: annular
Turbine: 2-stage
Fuel Grade: AVTAG
Power Data:
Military Power: 8000 lbf @ 8600 RPM (15 minutes takeoff/combat combined)
Intermediate Power: ? lbf @ 8400 RPM (30 min)
Maximum Continuous Power: ? lbf @ 8200 RPM (unrestricted)
Dimensional Data:
Length: 45 ft, 11 in
Height: 13 ft, 2 in
Wing Span: 33 ft, 8 in
Wing Area: 340 sq. ft (31.59 sq. m)
Wing Loading: 45.88 lbs/sq. ft @ loaded combat weight
Weight Data:
Empty Weight: 12543 lbs
Clean Combat Weight: 15600 lbs
Clean Loaded Takeoff Weight: 17140 lbs
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 19500 lbs
General Performance Data:
Max Speed: 612 knots (1133.42 kph) @ SL
Optimum Climb Speed: 430 knots until 0.87 M is reached
Undercarriage up, flaps up Stall Speed: 140 knots (259.28 kph) @ max landing weight
Undercarriage down, flaps down Stall Speed: 130 knots (240.76 kph) @ max landing weight
Takeoff Distance @ SL: 720 yards (zero wind, 17140 lbs, 15°C)
Landing Distance @ SL: ?
Service Ceiling: 50000 ft
G-Limitations:
Positive: +7G
Negative: -3.75G
Flap and Undercarriage Limitations:
Undercarriage: 230 knots
Full Flaps: 250 knots
Intermediate Flaps (38°): 300 knots
Maximum Speeds (clean configuration, loaded combat weight):
At SL: 612 knots (1133.42 kph)
At 36000 ft: 0.94M (1160.7 kph)
Time to Altitude from SL (maximum power, clean aircraft, loaded combat weight):
To 10000 ft: 2 min
To 20000 ft: 3.5 min
To 30000 ft: 5.25 min
To 40000 ft: 7.75 min
To 45000 ft: 10 min
Armament:
Guns: 4x ADEN 30mm cannon (600 rounds total, 150 RPG)
Bomb/Rocket/Missile Ordnance: N/A
Conclusion: The Hunter F.2 would make for a great aircraft in WT, probably as a premium, event or BP, performing more or less identically to the F.1.
Sources:
Spoiler
“Hawker Hunter in British Service” by Martin Derry and Neil Robinson
Thunder & Lightnings - Hawker Hunter - History
[1.0] Hunter Development & Variants
https://www.baesystems.com/en/heritage/hawker-hunter
File:Hawker Hunter F2, UK - Air Force AN1362553.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
WN904 / Q Hawker Hunter F2 cn S4/U/2912 Royal Air Force Sy… | Flickr
Hawker Hunter F.Mk.2 WN904 – Sywell Aviation Museum
Pilot’s Notes Hunter F.5, AP.4347E-PN, 2nd Edition, June 1956