Hawker swept wing designs P.1052 and P.1081
Specification E.38/46 was issued against the P.1052 which was a swept wing version of the P.1040 retaining all the characteristics of the original apart from the wing. Two prototypes were ordered and the first, VX272, flew on 19 November 1948 from Boscombe Down and it flew on trials until 1953 by which time it had been fitted with a swept tailplane. The second aircraft was destined to become the sole P.1081. The P.1081 was fully redesigned with swept tail surfaces and the jet exhaust through the rear of the fuselage. The second P.1052 VX279, was rebuilt and flew on 19 June 1950. It crashed on 3 April 1951 flying from Farnborough killing the pilot Sqn Ldr T S Wade. Experience with the P.1081 supported the development of the Hunter.
Preserved P.1052 VX272 at Cosford
P.1081 VX279
Specifications and production
| Mark | Role | Engine | Thrust | Weight
lbs |
Speed
mph |
Numbers |
| P.1052 | Prototype | Nene 102 | 5,000 | 13,448 | 670 | 2 |
| P.1081 | Prototype | Nene 102 | 5,000 | 14,480 | 685 | 1* |
Note
* P1052 conversion
Hawker Hunter (1954 - 1993)
If the Spitfire was the classic piston-engined design, the Hawker Type P.1067 Hunter must surely have been the most beautiful jet aeroplane ever built. Like the Spitfire it had a reputation as a pilot's aircraft. After a failure to meet two specifications for a Meteor replacement (F.43/46 and F.44/46) a new specification, F.3/48, was issued against which the P.1067 was tendered. Outline design began in 1946 around the Rolls Royce A.J.65 engine (later the Avon) and all flying surfaces were swept. Armament was to be two Aden cannon. The design evolved from the P.1040 (Sea Hawk) through the swept wing (straight tail assembly) P.1052 and the fully swept P.1081. Three prototypes were ordered, one with the Sapphire engine. The first, WB188, flew from Boscombe Down on 20 July 1950 by which time 400 Hunters had been ordered, 200 with the Avon, the balance with the Sapphire. The second prototype was equipped with four Aden cannon and gun ranging radar in the nose.
P.1067 prototype WB188 in flight
F Mark 1 The first production variant was fitted with the Avon 113 engine. The type entered squadron service with 43 Sqn at Leuchars in July 1954 after development delays while the airbrake position was tested for optimum performance. The F Mk 1 suffered problems with the engine surging when the guns were fired at altitude.
Service Fighter 43, 54, 222 Training 229, 233 OCU Other CFE (AFDS, DFLS); ETPS; FWS; NGTE; RAE; RRE
F Mk 1 WT687 of 54 Sqn
F Mark 2 The Mark 2 was similar to the F Mk 1 but was fitted with the Sapphire 101 engine. 45 were manufactured by Armstrong-Whitworth Aircraft and went into service with just two units, 257 and 263 Squadrons at Wattisham.
Service Fighter 257, 263 Other 1; CFE (AFDS); RAE
F Mk 2 WN907/H of 257 Sqn
F Mark 3 The designation was applied to the first prototype F Mk 1 fitted with an Avon RA7R engine delivering 9,600lbs thrust in reheat. Other modifications included a pointed nose. The aircraft was used to set a new world air speed record of 727.6 mph on 7 September 1953, flown by Sqn Ldr Neville Duke.
Converted prototype WB188 preserved at RAF Cosford
F Mark 4 The Mark 4 was the first significant Hunter variant. Earlier versions had limited fuel capacity and after tests on early production aircraft pylons for drop tanks were fitted. Internal fuel was also increased and the changes were incorporated on the production line. Later the Avon 115 was fitted, which cured the engine surging problem when gun-firing. The new engine was retrospectively fitted to most earlier aircraft.
Service Fighter 3, 4, 14, 20, 26, 43, 54, 66, 67, 71, 74, 92, 93, 98, 111, 112, 118, 130, 208, 222, 234, 245, 247 Training 12, 208; 229, 233, 237 OCU; RAFFC; CFS Other 167; APS Sylt; 3/4 CAACU; CFE (AFDS, DFLS); ETPS; FWS; RAE; RRE
Classsic shot of F Mk 4 WV272/L of 74 Sqn at Horsham St Faith 1957
F Mark 5 The Mark 5 brought to the F Mk 2 the same developments that the F Mk 4 incorporated from the Avon-engined F Mk 1. The version entered service in 1955 and was withdrawn from front-line units by 1958.
Service Fighter 1, 34, 41, 56, 257, 263 Other CFE (AFDS); RAE
F Mk 5 WH979/B of 1 Sqn at Tangmere
F Mark 6 The P.1099 featured the Avon 200 series engined of 10,500lbs thrust. The version was fitted for underwing stores and a wing leading edge extension to avoid pitch-up at high altitude under high g-loading. Faired link-collectors were fitted as standard to avoid damage to underwing tanks by spent shell casings. Numerous F Mk 6s were used for trials and two were converted to the Type P.1109 which had an extended nose radome and two Firestreak missiles on the outer wing pylons.
Service Fighter 1, 4, 14, 19, 20, 26, 34, 43, 54, 56, 63, 65, 66, 74, 92, 93, 111, 208, 247, 263 Training 4 FTS; 12, 216; 229 (63, 79, 145), 237 OCU; TWU Other CFE (AFDS, DFLS); CFCS; DFCS; FCS; FWS; RAE
P.1109 XF378 with Firestreak missiles
Anonymous F Mk 6 of 92 Sqn in aerobatic team colours
F Mk 6 XE557 of 229 OCU at Coltishall in September 1966
F Mark 6A This designation was applied to a number of F Mk 6 aircraft brought up to FGA Mk 9 standard.
Service Training TWU; 1 TWU (79); 2 TWU
Hunter F Mk 6A XJ639/31 of 63 Sqn/TWU at Chivenor
T Mark 7 The P.1101 was a two seat side-by-side trainer, initially developed as a private venture and ordered to specification T.157D. The first protoype, based on the F Mk 4, flew on 8 July 1955. A single Aden cannon was retained on the starboard side. 45 aircraft were built from new, while a further 28 were F Mk 4 conversions. Eventually the type served with most Hunter squadrons as well as with training units.
Service Training 1, 2, 4, 8, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 28, 43, 45, 54, 56, 58, 65, 66, 74, 92, 93, 111, 208, 216; 1417 Flt; 3/4 CAACU; CFS; DFCS; ETPS; FCIRS; FCS; 4 FTS; IAM; 229, 237, 238 OCU; RAE; TMTS Scampton; TWU; 1, 2 TWU
T Mk 7 XL609 of 56 Sqn
T Mark 7A The Mark 7A comprised T Mk 7s adapted to accommodate TACAN. The first aircraft to be modified was XF289.
Service Training 5, 12, 15, 16, 19, 23, 43, 45, 56, 74, 111, 208; 237 OCU; 1 TWU; WTS Sylt
T Mk 7A XL616 of the ETPS
T Mark 8 The Mark 8 was essentially similar to the T Mk 7 but was fitted with an arrester hook for naval use with airfield arrester gear. A total of 41 was built including 31 F Mk 4 conversions.
Service Training 111, 208; 237 OCU; 700B, 700X, 736, 738, 759, 764, 776, 800, 899 NAS; ADS; FRU; FRADU
Prototype T Mk 8 WW664 in flight
T Mark 8B This was the T Mk 8 with full TACAN provision. Four airframes were converted from the standard T Mk 8.
Service Training 759, 764, 800 NAS
T Mk 8B XF995 of 237 OCU at Honington
T Mark 8C The Mark 8C comprised eleven F Mk 4 or T Mk 8 conversions with partial TACAN.
Service Training 16; 237 OCU: 759 NAS; FRADU
T Mk 8C XF289/872 of FRADTU 1975
T Mark 8M The Mark 8M was specially developed to support the Royal Navy Sea Harrier programme. It was fitted with the Blue Fox radar in a redesigned nose.
Service Training 899 NAS
Hunter T Mk 8M XL603 with long-range wing tanks
FGA Mark 9 The Mark 9 was an F Mk 6 conversion originally built to replace Venoms in the Middle East after competition with the Gnat. Braking parachutes were fitted and the aircraft was equipped with large, 230 gallon, drop tanks and cockpit ventilation and refrigeration. The Avon 207 engine was selected but pending deliveries the 203 was fitted in an interim version; all aircraft were retrospectively fitted with the later engine. The Hunter FGA Mk 9 entered service with 1 and 8 Sqns in January 1960 and the type remained in front-line service until 1968. A total of 126 conversions was built.
Service Ground attack 1, 8, 20, 28, 43, 45, 54, 58, 208 Training HCT; 229 OCU; TWU; 1, 2 TWU Other RAE
FGA Mk 9 XE615/G of 1 Sqn at Coltishall September 1966
FR Mark 10 The Mark 10 was yet another F Mk 6 conversion originally designed to specification FR.164D with a battery of cameras in the nose and UHF radio. The first of 33 conversions, XF429, flew on 7 November 1958. Two ex Swift units were equipped with the type and several were flown by 8 Sqn in Aden.
Service Fighter reconnaisance 2, 4, 8; 1417 Flt Training 229 OCU
Hunter FR Mk 10 XJ633/K of 4 Sqn at Coltishall 1966
GA Mark 11 The Mark 11 was built for the Royal Navy to serve in the Fleet Requirements and Air Direction roles in support of naval vessels. 40 were built as F Mk 4 conversions fitted with TACAN and an arrester hook.
Service Training 738, 764, 776; FRU; FRADU
GA Mk 11 WT809/696LM of 764 NAS
PR Mark 11 This was the designation applied to the GA Mk 11 fitted with an interchangeable camera nose.
Service Fleet Requirements FRADU
PR Mk 11 WT744/868VL of FRADU
Mark 12 The Mark 12 designation was applied to a sole Hunter F Mk 6 conversion, XE531, fitted with two seats and head-up display (HUD) for TSR2 trials.
Service Trials RAE
Mk 12 XE531 of RAE
Specifications and production
| Mark | Role | Engine | Thrust | Weight
lbs |
Speed
mph |
Numbers |
| F1 | Fighter | Avon 107/113 | 7,550 | 16,200 | 675 | 139 |
| F2 | Fighter | Sapphire 101 | 8,000 | 16,200 | 680 | 45 |
| F3 | Experimental | Avon RA7R | 7,500 | 16,000 | 721 | 1 |
| F4 | Fighter | Avon 115/121 | 7,550 | 17,100 | 675 | 365 |
| F5 | Fighter | Sapphire 101 | 8,000 | 17,100 | 680 | 105 |
| F6 | Fighter | Avon 203 | 10,150 | 17,910 | 715 | 139 |
| F6A | Trainer | Avon 207 | 10,150 | 18,000 | 710 | 25* |
| T7 | Trainer | Avon 122 | 8,000 | 17,200 | 690 | 45$ |
| T8 | Trainer | Avon 122 | 8,000 | 17,200 | 690 | 10+ |
| T8B | Trainer | Avon 122 | 8,000 | 17,200 | 690 | 4# |
| T8C | Trainer | Avon 122 | 8,000 | 17,200 | 690 | 11# |
| T8M | Trainer | Avon 122 | 8,000 | 17,200 | 690 | 10# |
| FGA9 | Ground attack | Avon 207 | 10,150 | 18,000 | 710 | 126* |
| FR10 | Fighter recce | Avon 207 | 10,150 | 18,090 | 710 | 33* |
| GA11 | Trainer | Avon 122 | 7,550 | 17,100 | 700 | 40^ |
| PR11 | Trainer | Avon 122 | 7,550 | 17,100 | 700 | inc above |
| Mk12 | Research | Avon 208 | 10,150 | 17,600 | 690 | 1* |
Notes
* F6 conversions
$ plus 28 F4 conversions
+ plus 31 F4 conversions
# T8 conversions
^ F4 conversions
Further reading
Hardy, M J Hawker Hunter Winchmore Publishing Service, 1986
Jackson, R Hawker Hunter Ian Allan, Shepperton, 1983
Mason, F K Hawker Hunter Patrick Stephens, Wellingborough, 1981
Mason, F K Hawker Hunter F6, The (Profile 4) Profile Publications, Leatherhead, 1965
Mason, F K Hawker Hunter Two Seaters, The (Profile 167) Profile Publications, Leatherhead, 1967
Ward, R L Hunter Squadrons Linewrights, Essex, 1986