- Yes
- No
Introduction: The Hawker Hunter was Britain’s premier fighter aircraft for most of the 1950’s. However, by the turn of the decade, it was being outmoded by new types. However, this did not end the type’s career; in fact, it only represented the beginning of what is potentially the most important and active part of its service.
Description: In the 1960’s, the Hunter was beginning to slip past its prime. Whilst still a great aircraft, it was beginning to be outmoded by other types, with its interceptor role being taken over by the Lightning in RAF service. However, the RAF had a need to replace older types of ground attack aircraft, such as the Meteor and Venom, and had also had previous experience converting fighter aircraft into ground attack aircraft, to great success in many cases. In fact, some of Hawker’s products were given this treatment, the Hurricane and Typhoon included. It was thus decided to convert the Hunter F.6s into strike-fighters, in order to replace the previously mentioned types in both the Far Eastern and European theatres. Work began in 1959 to convert 128 Hunter F.6s, with about 36 being upgraded to an interim standard before being upgraded to full FGA.9 standard later.
The FGA.9 saw quite a bit of action during this time, serving in Aden and in the Indonesian-Malaysian Confrontation. In Aden, Hunters were used to support SAS teams on the ground around Harib. In the Far East, the Hunters were sent to deter operations by the Indonesians, who were threatening the sovereignty of the newly created nation of Malaysia. They were sent to operate alongside Javelins and Gannets around 1964. A Hunter was involved in a dogfight with an Indonesian MiG-17. Though neither aircraft fired their weapons, the Hunter “won” by performing a rolling pullout from a high-speed dive; a move its opponent simply could not do. In 1968, one Hunter was involved in a rather intriguing incident. A disgruntled pilot flew his aircraft over the Houses of Parliament and through Tower Bridge, as well as buzzing various airbases, as a protest against defence cuts and base closures. The Hunter FGA.9 would remain in frontline service until 1971, when it was replaced by newer types such as the Phantom, Jaguar and Harrier. The FGA.9 was also an export success, being exported to numerous countries, many of which used them in combat.
Performance:
Spoiler
Fuel and Oil Data:
Internal Fuel Capacity: 392 imperial gallons (252 gallons fuselage front & rear tanks, 140 gallons wing tanks)
Oil Capacity: 9.5 pints
Engine Data:
Manufacturer: Rolls-Royce
Designation: Avon 207 (RA.28)
Type: axial-flow turbojet
Compressor Stages: 15-stage compressor
Combustion Chamber: cannular
Turbine: 2-stage
Fuel Grade: AVTAG
Power Data:
Military Power: 10150 lbf @ 8000 RPM (10 minutes takeoff/combat combined)
Intermediate Power: ? lbf @ 7800 RPM (30 min)
Maximum Continuous Power: ? lbf @ 7600 RPM (unrestricted)
Dimensional Data:
Length: 45 ft, 10.5 in
Height: 13 ft, 2 in
Wing Span: 33 ft, 8 in
Wing Area: 349 sq. ft (32.42 sq. m)
Wing Loading: 52.46 lbs/sq. ft @ loaded combat weight
Weight Data:
Empty Weight: 14400 lbs
Fully Loaded Combat Weight: 18310lbs
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 24500 lbs
Fuel Weight: 3018 lbs (internal only)
General Performance Data:
Max Speed: 620 knots (1148 kph) @ SL
Maximum Rate of Climb @ SL: ? ft/min (? m/s)
Note: RoC at full military power is likely very close to the F.6; only a bit worse due to the slightly higher weight of the FGA.9.
Optimal Climb Speed: 0.85M (clean)
Undercarriage up, flaps up Stall Speed: 135 knots (250 kph) @ 18550 lbs
Undercarriage down, flaps down Stall Speed: 125 knots (231.5 kph) @ 18550 lbs
Takeoff Distance @ SL: 715 yards (zero wind, 18310 lbs)
Landing Distance @ SL w/ parachute extended: 740 yards (18500 lbs)
Landing Distance @ SL w/o parachute: 1040 yards (18500 lbs)
Service Ceiling: 52000 ft
G-Limitations:
Positive: +7G
Negative: -3.75G
Maximum Speeds (clean configuration, loaded combat weight):
At SL: 620 knots (1148.2 kph)
At 36000 ft: 0.95M (1173.1 kph)
Time to Altitude (intermediate power, clean aircraft, loaded combat weight):
To 10000 ft: 3 min
To 20000 ft: 4 min
To 30000 ft: 5.5 min
To 40000 ft: 7.25 min
To 50000 ft: 11.5 min
Armament:
Guns: 4x ADEN 30mm cannon (600 rounds total, 150 RPG)
Bomb/Rocket/Missile Ordnance:
- 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)
- 2x 1000 lb bombs
Conclusion: The Hunter is an icon of British aviation, and having the ultimate variant to see RAF service would be great to see. It would bring additional ground attack capability to its respective rank, as well as a potent fighter aircraft, and its honestly surprising that it is yet to be seen in the tech tree.
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
Hawker Hunter FGA.9 | This Day in Aviation
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