Aeroplane Monthly 1979-06
-
B.Gunston - Hawker Hunter, part 1 /Fighters of the fifties/ (23)
Hunter Mk.3 WB188, which was converted from the original prototype P1067
Hunter Mk 1 WT641 of 43 Sqn RAF Leuchars, February 1955
Hunter FGA.9 XG254 and Meteor WH291, both with 79 Squadron of 229 OCU, over the North Devon coast in April 1971.
The first P.1067 prototype, WB188, originally wore an overall duck-egg green scheme. First flights were made at Boscombe Down in July 1951.
The third prototype P.1067 Hunter, WB202, powered by the Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire, first flew on November 30, 1952.
Hunter F.1 WT631 displays its under-fuselage airbrake.
Hunter F.1 WT557, was an early production aircraft from Hawker's first batch of 200.
Hunter F.1s of No 43 Squadron's aerobatic team, based at Leuchars in 1955. This unit gave impressive displays in Norway and Sweden during a goodwill visit from October 17-23 of that year.
WB195, the second prototype, was the first to have the Aden gun pack, a self-contained unit that could be replaced in five minutes.
Brand new Hunters lined up at No 5 MU in 1955, awaiting allocation to units.
A fine study of F.1 WT594, with the "afterthought" airbrake spoiling its lines.
Hunter Mk6 XG226 of 234 Sqn RAF 229 OCU Chivenor, August 1974
Progenitor of the line which culminated in the Hunter was the P.1040
The first example of the swept-wing P.1052 was VX272, which first flew in December 1948.
The second P.1052, VX279
The second P.1052, VX279, was given an afterburning Tay with a single orifice beneath swept tail surfaces to become the interim P.1081.