Does anyone have info sorrounding Hawker Hunters ZZ190 and ‘191?
They have been operating out of St Mawgan, apparently in the same role as the FRADU Falcon 20s / Hawks. The unusual thing is, they have new military serials so must be operated by the MoD, at a time when most military support aircraft are operated by a civil outfit with civilian registrations.
A Does anyone know where they are based and with what unit?
B Is this unique, a previously out of service aircraft, put back in to service with new military serials?
BTW some nice pictures can be seen of these Hunters on Air Britains picture site http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1083672/
By: VX927 - 13th December 2007 at 11:29
HHA Eng,
Thanks for the update. While you’re here, can you please tell us what the current state of play is with the Buccaneer? Do you think we’ll see her flying any time soon?
By: HHA Eng - 13th December 2007 at 10:37
HHA Hunters
ZZ190 and ZZ191 are employed in military trials work for the MoD. The aircraft are ex Swiss serials J4066 and J4058 these were re-registered to G-HHAE and G-HHAD under HHA civil ownership. The aircraft were re-registered to the military serials in Oct 2006. They are full blown military aircraft and are regulated through the military system.
The two Hunters have performed well under the current contract with 100% of required trial sorties achieved. They are operated in a partnership with FRA and HHA. They have undergone considerable modification to enable the aircraft to satisfy the trial requirements. The aircraft are maintained by HHA engineers and flown by two very experienced pilots from FRA. See HHA website for further details.
By: pagen01 - 11th December 2007 at 17:40
Thanks Firebird, that thread answers all the questions!
By: stringbag - 11th December 2007 at 15:45
Are these two hunters flown by FRA pilots?
James
Yes I believe they are still being flown by FRA pilots, but HHA Eng will I’m sure correct me if this is wrong.
By: Firebird - 11th December 2007 at 14:17
Were not some of the Swiss Hunters ex RAF examples refurbished for export?
Some were, but these particular 2 x F.58’s were new build for the Swiss AF.
Most of this is old ground from this thread last year….
By: Manston Airport - 11th December 2007 at 14:07
Are these two hunters flown by FRA pilots?
James
By: David Burke - 11th December 2007 at 14:00
Were not some of the Swiss Hunters ex RAF examples refurbished for export?
By: Firebird - 11th December 2007 at 12:56
Yes but did they have new serials?
No, because they were using their original UK mil serials.
These Hunters are not original UK mil and being put back into UK service as you suggest, as being export models for the Swiss AF they never had UK mil serials, so hence the new issue serials.
By: pagen01 - 11th December 2007 at 12:34
Its actually not a new situation, when I filmed Hunters in the 1980s flying out of Kinloss…
Yes but did they have new serials?
Thanks for the info, really good to see these old machines can provide a tool for modern military aviation
By: scotavia - 11th December 2007 at 11:42
Its actually not a new situation, when I filmed Hunters in the 1980s flying out of Kinloss in support of the regular twice yearly fleet exercise of Scotland they were operated as part of FRADU by a civilian contractor. The pilots were civilian as well. (Including Brian Grant on his way to becoming the highest hours Hunter pilot) It is a pleasant surprise to read of HHA providing the same level of service in 2007.
By: Firebird - 11th December 2007 at 11:30
They are two ex-Swiss AF Hunters owned by HHA at Scampton, hence the ‘new’ UK mil regs.
See here for info…..
Sign In
December 11, 2007 at 10:57 am