McDonnell Douglas/BAe T-45A Goshawks

With take-off flap selected and the undercarriage retracting a T-45A of Training Wing 2 carries out an overshoot. Undergraduate pilot training on the T45TS began on January 3, 1994, and the first student flight took place on February 11, 1994, followed by the first solo on March 23, 1994.

First and only flight of the AlliedSignal F124-GA-400 powered T-45A. It is the second development aircraft, BuNo 162788, loaned to MACAIR by the US Navy to carry out a trial installation. This was the baseline engine chosen by MACAIR for its submission to the RAAF trainer competition. The aircraft has since been demodified and no additional testing is planned.

Two aircraft from Training Wing 2 in echelon formation. In spite of numerous changes to the systems and airframe, the T-45A retains the BAe Hawk’s distinctive profile and is claimed to have even better handling characteristics at low airspeed.

‘Trapping’ the wire on CV-67 USS John F Kennedy. During the first series of carrier compatibility trials with USS John F Kennedy, off the Florida coast in early December 1991, the first two aircraft performed a total of 33 arrested landings and catapult take-offs.

Detail of the full-span leading edge slat and revised vortex generator arrangement fitted to the first test aircraft, BuNo 162787. This allowed the aircraft to be flown to a much higher angle of attack and thus easily providing the lift coefficient required to achieve the specified approach speed.

This view of the current analogue cockpit display, seen in the second development aircraft during testing at Patuxent River in October 1990 makes an interesting comparison with the digital display.

Together with promoting the Hawk, Douglas and BAe jointly offered the D-7000.