Air International 2008-08
D.Calvert - Hawk /Aircraft of the RAF/ (4)
Weapons and tactical training is conducted by 19 (Reserve) Squadron at RAF Valley operating the Hawk T1A. This version is capable of firing Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.
No. 208 (Reserve) Squadron is responsible for advanced flying training for fast-jet pilots using the Hawk T1.
RAF Leeming is home to 100 Squadron Hawk T1 for operational support duties. This means the unit often flies 'red' air missions during large exercises. This aircraft is depicted carrying an air combat manoeuvring instrumentation (ACMI) pod, which records all flight data to enable aircrew to debrief the mission in great detail.
'The Red Arrows’ Hawks wear this eye-catching scheme which was altered in late 2007 and now includes the words 'Royal Air Force' on the fuselage. The team's Hawks are all equipped with a system that can produce red, white and blue smoke.
Two Hawks are assigned to the Joint Forward Air Control Training and Standards Unit (JFACTSU) for training forward air controllers.
This Hawk is one of two flown from MoD Boscombe Down for the RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine.
This Hawk is from No 4 Flying Training School at Valley, which is the largest RAF operator of the type. It is wearing special markings as it is the display aircraft for this year.
The Hawk is best known to the British general public as the aircraft flown by the RAF Aerobatic Team, 'The Red Arrows', which has flown the type since 1980.
Another major user of the Hawk is 100 Squadron at RAF Leeming, which flies the aircraft in a variety of roles including acting as targets for fighters and undertaking trials. The Hawk in the foreground is a T1A variant which, along with 87 others, was modified during the Cold War to be able to carry two Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. The aircraft pictured is carrying two Sidewinder training rounds.