Hawker Hunter F.4 WT703: The Ground Attack Hunter (i)

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Introduction: The Hawker Hunter FGA.9 was Britain’s main tactical strike aircraft during the 1960’s, and served valiantly in many conflicts. However, it was preceded by a number of test aircraft, including WT703, a Hunter F.4.

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Description: The Hawker Hunter was the RAF’s premier fighter aircraft of the 1950’s. However, as technology advanced and aircraft performance increased, it soon became apparent that the Hunter would be replaced in its role as a fighter aircraft, and would need to be re-roled for other purposes. One of these roles was for ground attack. The RAF was not unfamiliar with converting its old fighters into ground attack aircraft, in fact, it could be seen to be standard practice, the Hunter being the most recent conversion up to that point. WT703 spent its entire 10 year lifespan doing trials work with both Hawker and the A&AEE. The aircraft had its wing strengthened, with modifications made for each wing to take two hardpoints, for a total of four, which would become a common feature on later variants of the Hunter. The aircraft began taking part in trials from 1954 onwards, testing various weapons loads and drop tanks. These included 500lb and 1000lb bombs, and 24 RPs, as well as the Mk.12 Type 3 rocket launcher. WT703 seems to have spent its time doing weapons trials with the front ¾ of the aircraft in primer, as well as part of the tail, with the rest being painted grey on top and silver on the bottom. The roundel and fin flash were located in the standard positions, as was the serial number. Finally, the serial was also stencilled onto the nose gear door in white lettering, with the background probably being in red, but it cannot be said for certain.

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Performance:

Spoiler

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:

  • Bombs: up to 4x 500lb, 2x 1000lb

  • Rockets:

  • Up to 24x 3” No.1 Mk.5 RP rockets with the following heads:

    • 60 lb head (8x)
    • 25 lb head (16-24x)
    • 18 lb head (24x)
    • 12 lb head (24x)
  • Up to 6x HVAR rockets with the following heads:

    • 35 lb head (6x)
    • 52 lb head (6x)
  • 2x SNEB rocket pods (37x 2” rockets per pack)

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Conclusion: I believe that this aircraft would make for an interesting aircraft in game, providing the weapons of a Hunter FGA.9 at a lower BR due to its slightly worse performance compared to it. Due to this, it would make for a good premium, with the FGA.9 being in the tree.

Sources:

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“Hawker Hunter in British Service” by Martin Derry and Neil Robinson

Hawker Hunter F. Mark 4

https://picclick.co.uk/Hawker-Hunter-F4-Wt703-Original-Vintage-Manufacturers-Photo-203146071929.html

Hawker Hunter 1951 to 2007 - Google Books

Hawker's Secret Cold War Airfield: Dunsfold: Home of the Hunter and Harrier - Christopher Budgen - Google Books

HAWKER HUNTER - Robert Jackson - Google Books

Pilot’s Notes Hunter F.4, AP.4347D-PN, 3rd Edition, January 1958

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