- Yes
- No
Hawker Hunter F.74S - RSAF’s Special Modification
Hi and welcome to my 58th, which is about Singapores Hunter F.74S, hope you like it.
First of all:
- Feel free to share more Information and / or correct me if something is wrong
- Discuss respectfully, any aggressive kind or verbal abuse will be reported, the Forum rules also apply here
Background History
The Hawker Hunter, developed during the Cold War era was manufactured in Great Britain. The aircraft, manufactured by Hawker Siddeley, was mainly used by the Royal Air Force from 1954 onwards. With its first flight in 1951, it was the oldest active jet-powered fighter aircraft in the world, with the last samples decommissioned in Lebanon in 2014.
The Hawker Hunter was used by many other countries as well, due to its good handling, performance and ease of maintenance. Singapore, was one of these countries. The RAF, which had previously secured the airspace over Singapore, was withdrawn due to Britain’s financial problems, so Singapore had to quickly establish its own air force.
The Hawker Hunter presented itself as a cost-effective and useful option and Singapore acquired the first Hunter aircraft in 1970. In total, Singapore purchased 43 Hunters, designated FGA.9 and FR.74 (export FR.10s), including some two-seat T.75 training aircraft. Transporting the Hunter halfway around the world was a challenge, but one that the RAF pilots overcame. Soon Singapore’s first jet fighter squadron was operational.
Although the Hunter was positively reviewed, it was a 1950s aircraft, so a performance upgrade soon became necessary. Most of Singapore’s Hunters were converted to the improved FR.74S and F.74S.
Armament of the Hunter F.74S
The improvements included four pylons wired for Sidewinder missiles, including two dedicated ones, the integration of Maverick missiles, strengthened wings, and new bomb/missile installations including a centerline pylon.
It could maybe be fitted with a flare/chaff package just forward of the airbrake. Optionally, the weapons package could be replaced by a reconnaissance package, and the weapons could continue to be used after upgrading to F.74S.
Air-to-Air Missiles
- 4x AIM-9B
- 4x AIM-9G
- 4x AIM-9P
Dumb- Rockets / Bombs
- 72x 68mm SNEB
- 32x 80mm SURA
- ?x (?) bombs
Air-to-Surface Missiles
- 4x AGM-65B
Specifications, Electronics and Internal
- Crew: 1
- Length: 14 m
- Wingspan: 10,26 m
- Height: 4,01 m
- Max. takeoff weight: 11.158 kg
- Powerplant: 1 x Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.207
- Thrust: 4,602 kgf
- Maximum speed: 1144 km/h
- Service ceiling: 15.250 m
- Rate of climb: 40,7 m/s
- Maximum g-load: +9g / -3g (placeholder)
Thanks for your time, hope you liked it
[Will add more if there are some (more) important / declassified things]
[PM or comment if a Link or Picture isn´t working]
Sources:
Links
https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/pioneer/article/regular-article-detail/milestones/2022-Q3/01sep22_news1
https://www.baesystems.com/en/heritage/hawker-hunter
Thunder & Lightnings - Hawker Hunter - History
https://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/hunter/survivor.php?id=778
https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155030018291059&vanity=mindefsg&slug=hawker-hunterengine-rolls-royce-plc-avon-207-turbojet-enginewingspan-1026-mlengt
Hawker Hunter FR74S | Fly With Me
Book / Other:
Civil Airworthiness Certification: Former Military High-Performance Aircraft - Miguel Vasconcelos (2013)
List of Suggestions of ASEAN region