Hi all
Am undertaking some research on Hunter F6 XJ 646, that served with 8 Sqn in Aden and 14 Sqn which I understand was ultimately modified by Hawkers and sold to the Indian Air Force.
I will try to obtain the Record Card from AHB but in the meantime would be grateful for any info, photos etc
All much appreciated
By: Discendo Duces - 28th May 2007 at 12:58
I would go with the Record Card, especially given the long length of service with 14 Sqn, long after 66 Sqn had disbanded (in ‘Biography of a Thoroughbred ‘ 66sqn is listed after 14 Sqn in time order).
Frank Mason’s book was excellent when it came out, the first book dedicated to the Hunter, and deservedly well received ; however, the appendices have the odd error, particularly regarding squadron allocations.
And talking of mistakes, sorry, I copied the Aden squadrons the wrong way round from ‘Aeromilitaria’ : should have been 8 & 43 , then 8 Squadron.
By: Lion Rock - 28th May 2007 at 12:26
Hunter Help Please
Many thanks one and all.
Somewhat puzzled at the difference in some of the references, ie one source says it saw service with 66 Sqn another does not.
Any thoughts?
By: alvampman - 28th May 2007 at 12:07
The movement card (A.M Form 78 ) gives
26-1-57 Awaiting collection
5-2-57 19MU
4-4-57 2nd TAF
15-4-57 14 Sqdn
3-9-57 SDA. Flying accident CAT3R
23-9-57 14 Sqdn
13-10-58 SDA. CAT3R
20-11-58 14 Sqdn. Ex Repair on site
2-7-59 SDA. CAT3R
27-7-59 14 Sqdn
8-3-60 SDA.
2-5-60 14 Sqdn
29-5-61 SDA. Mods
13-7-61 14 Sqdn
6-4-62 Disposal account. Mods
30-4-62 14 Sqdn. Ex mods
17-12-62 19MU
27-8-65 Converted to a Mk 9
6-9-65 5MU
13-10-65 8/43 Sqdn
5-9-67 8 Sqdn
29-11-67 19MU
24-4-68 Sold to Hawker Siddeley
From some HSA notes I have
XJ646 G-9-275
Receipt date Dunsfold. 25-4-68
Airframe hours. 2310.40 hours
Engine serial no. 7820
Sold to. India
Mk no. 56A
Serial no. A968
Dispatched. 31-7-69
By: Discendo Duces - 27th May 2007 at 23:45
After conversion to FGA.9, it went to 8 Sqn at Khormaksar, and subsequently the 8/43 Sqn ‘pool’ as Code ‘P’.
The RAF Museum should have the movements card.
By: Thunderbird167 - 26th May 2007 at 12:47
Hunter in India
MarkG
The Hunter in India believed to be A968 might not be, see attached link
By: northeagle - 26th May 2007 at 12:45
A bit of interest: a gyro stabiliser from this Hunter is on sale at e-bay.
Best Wishes.
Robert.
By: Lion Rock - 26th May 2007 at 11:05
Hunter Help Please
StringBag & MarkG many thanks for your help, I am also led to believe it served with 8 Sqn in the Radfan in Aden, would be grateful for confirmation or otherwise.
Many thanks
By: MarkG - 26th May 2007 at 10:31
I believe A968 still exists and is preserved at an Indian Air Force base in West Bengal.
By: stringbag - 26th May 2007 at 10:07
XJ646 – ff 9/1/57.
Deld 19MU 5/2/57
RAF 14(F) Sqn as aeroplane ‘D’
RAF 66(F) Sqn
Converted to FGA.9
Bought back by HSA 25/4/68
Refurbished as a F.56A for the Indian Air Force as A968
Deld 31/7/69
Info taken from the superb “Hawker Hunter, biography of a Thoroughbred” by Francis K. Mason
Sign In
May 26, 2007 at 9:42 am