Help, mystery Seahawk hatch

Seahawk

You have a very rare memento from the Suez Conflict of 1956.

Ref Wing Over Suez by Brian Cull ISBN 1-898697-48-5

Page 169 – Concerning the preparation of Sea Hawks for the opening strikes of Nov 1

“It was decided to put in a dawn strike”….. “”All this called for a night launch , a form up without help from the seaborne radar or radio”…… “To achieve this I (Lt Cdr Bruce Clark OC 899 Squadron) had each flight’s aircraft fitted with a light shinning aft [which became known as mosquito landing lights]. These were operated from the cockpit and were retracted when switched off. They were adopted by all other squadrons”

The inventor, Lt Cdr Bruce Clark, was awarded £60 for his suggestion.

Wow,thanks very much ,quick research .
Very very interesting.

Andrew:) 🙂

Well done Vega – impressive.

You have a very rare memento from the Suez Conflict of 1956.

Ref Wing Over Suez by Brian Cull ISBN 1-898697-48-5

Page 169 – Concerning the preparation of Sea Hawks for the opening strikes of Nov 1

“It was decided to put in a dawn strike”….. “”All this called for a night launch , a form up without help from the seaborne radar or radio”…… “To achieve this I (Lt Cdr Bruce Clark OC 899 Squadron) had each flight’s aircraft fitted with a light shinning aft [which became known as mosquito landing lights]. These were operated from the cockpit and were retracted when switched off. They were adopted by all other squadrons”

The inventor, Lt Cdr Bruce Clark, was awarded £60 for his suggestion.

You have a very rare memento from the Suez Conflict of 1956.

Ref Wing Over Suez by Brian Cull ISBN 1-898697-48-5

Page 169 – Concerning the preparation of Sea Hawks for the opening strikes of Nov 1

“It was decided to put in a dawn strike”….. “”All this called for a night launch , a form up without help from the seaborne radar or radio”…… “To achieve this I (Lt Cdr Bruce Clark OC 899 Squadron) had each flight’s aircraft fitted with a light shinning aft [which became known as mosquito landing lights]. These were operated from the cockpit and were retracted when switched off. They were adopted by all other squadrons”

The inventor, Lt Cdr Bruce Clark, was awarded £60 for his suggestion.

I’ve learnt something new today, thank you. Simple solution to a common problem i.e. how to get the formation together in the dark and maintain electronic silence. Strange that, even back then, an idea through the forces suggestion system was worth £160 to the originator(if accepted). Unless things have changed in the last 17 years that’s all they are worth now.

Well done Vega, very interesting, and unusual, indeed.

You have a very rare memento from the Suez Conflict of 1956.

Ref Wing Over Suez by Brian Cull ISBN 1-898697-48-5

Page 169 – Concerning the preparation of Sea Hawks for the opening strikes of Nov 1

“It was decided to put in a dawn strike”….. “”All this called for a night launch , a form up without help from the seaborne radar or radio”…… “To achieve this I (Lt Cdr Bruce Clark OC 899 Squadron) had each flight’s aircraft fitted with a light shinning aft [which became known as mosquito landing lights]. These were operated from the cockpit and were retracted when switched off. They were adopted by all other squadrons”

The inventor, Lt Cdr Bruce Clark, was awarded £60 for his suggestion.

Unlikely I know but could it be some sort of Downward Ident Light ,maybe for trials work?? Dont know if 50’s Naval A/C had them, RAF A/C certainly did.

Seahawks were never equiped as a buddy buddy refuelling tanker (be pretty short on capacity and range!), at least one was capable as a receiver via a drop tank mounted probe. Unsure about target towing, I’ve never heard of it though.
Was wondering if the lamp could be used for signalling during the fleet support work, this was in the comparatively early days of this role.

possibly a formation light. Many uses, buddy refuelling being one as previously suggested. Or, and I’m out on a limb here, were sea hawks ever converted to drone tugs? in which case it could be a winch light.

I don’t know the Seahawk, but could it be that some were used as buddy-buddy refuellers ?

panel

Some Sea Hawks found extra work with the Fleet Directions Unit at Hurn, being employed in fleet support work with Naval shipping. They had extra lights fitted, one being along the lines of a Harley light like those fitted to Hunter GA.11s, usually in the drop tank nose.
These FRU aircraft were usually painted black though.
I’m wondering if it could be something to do with that sort of work?

Thanks ,

But why would a light pointing backwards be of any use?:confused: :confused:

Some Sea Hawks found extra work with the Fleet Directions Unit at Hurn, being employed in fleet support work with Naval shipping. They had extra lights fitted, one being along the lines of a Harley light like those fitted to Hunter GA.11s, usually in the drop tank nose.
These FRU aircraft were usually painted black though.
I’m wondering if it could be something to do with that sort of work?