BAE Systems

96 The Aircraft of British Aerospace and BAE SYSTEMS 1977 - 2017

and then joined the test programme.

G-HAWK differed from the standard Hawk

as it was fitted with a comprehensive

navigational suite, full dual controls and

other refinements such as a braking

parachute.

Hawk T1s Service with the RAF

The Hawk was released for service in

October 1976 after a very successful trials

programme at the A&AEE Boscombe

Down which showed satisfaction with the

Hawk as an advanced trainer, clearing all

its specified performance targets. The first

two production Hawks were delivered to

RAF Valley, Anglesey, in November 1976

and deliveries increased steadily as the

production rate reached four a month for

RAF in early 1978. Hawks replaced Gnats

and Hunters in the advanced training role

at RAF Valley. Hawks were also allotted for

weapons training at the at the TWU at RAF

Brawdy, South Wales, and these carried a

centre line gun pod and two underwing

pylons. This reduction in types simplified

the training process. The student pilots

spent 160hr on Jet Provosts and then

graduated to the Hawk for 130hr on Hawk

before moving on to an operational

conversion unit. In August 1979, the

Government concerned at a gap in

Britain’s air defence, 88 Hawks were

modified to carry the Sidewinder AIM-9L

air-to-air missile in addition to the 30mm

cannon for secondary airfield defence

duties. These were redesignated as Hawk

T1As. Hawks would be used for local air

defence of airfields, piloted by instructors

from the weapons training unit at RAF

Brawdy.

Red Arrows

For almost 40 years the Royal Air Force

Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, has flown

the BAE Hawk and the aircraft is

synonymous with the team. The Hawks

offered a major technological advance

over the Gnat, not least with its fuel

consumption 30% less than the Gnats and

greater stability in formation. A definite

aerobatic advance was the new type’s very

good aileron control and the facility for

30sec of inverted flight, not possible with

the Gnat. The Red Arrows are a household

name, performing acrobatic manoeuvres

of great skill and daring and wowing the

crowds throughout the United Kingdom

and many other countries. They represent

both the prowess of the team and the

excellence of the Hawk.

ˆ The Red Arrows

have operated the

Hawk for 38 years

and continue to

excite crowds at air

displays around the

world. (BAE Systems)

† The first export

customer for the

Hawk was Finland

which order 50 in

1976. In 1993 the
      Finns received
      seven more and 18
      ex-Swiss Air Force
      Hawks 66s joined
      the fleet in 2007.
      The entire Finnish
      Hawk fleet is
      planned to serve
      until the mid-2030s.
      (BAE SYSTEMS North
      West Heritage)