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Hawker Hunter Prototype WB188
Developed during the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, the Hawker Hunter is a transonic British jet aircraft and is a story of numerous trials and developments, many abandoned before reaching anywhere near the production stage.
Following the end of World War II, Hawker recognised that jet-propulsion was the future of military aircraft development and Chief Designer Sydney Camm initially proposed the P.1040 to the RAF. Unfortunately, the RAF took little interest in the design, seeking better performance and ability so Camm turned his attention to transforming the Hawker Fury / Sea Fury into a jet-powered, carrier-based fighter for the Fleet Air Arm and thus emerged was the P.1035 Sea Hawk.
However, when the Air Ministry issued Specification E38/46 Camm set about developing the Sea Hawk, replacing the straight wing with a-35 degree swept wing, categorising the aircraft P.1052
During its first flight during 1948, the P.1052 first prototype demonstrated good performance and despite carrying out several successful Carrier Trials, it was agreed that it did not warrant further development into a production aircraft.
Undeterred, Hawker converted the second P.1052 prototype as a ‘private venture’, known as the P.1081, featuring swept tail-planes, a revised fuselage, and a single jet exhaust at the rear.
Hawker Hunter Development Aircraft P.1081
First flown on 19th June 1950, the P.1081 was a great success and drew interest from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Despite this initial success, further development was stalled by difficulties with the engine reheat and the project was abandoned when the sole prototype was lost in a crash in 1951. The loss was made even more tragic as it took the life of legendary Test and Battle of Britain pilot T.S. ‘Wimpy’ Wade.
In March 1948, the Air Ministry issued a revised Specification F.3/48 which called for a speed of 629 mph at 45,000 ft and a high rate of climb whilst carrying substantial armaments. Hawker responded with the P.1067, which first flew from RAF Boscombe Down on 20th July 1951 which proved an immediate success with the Air Ministry ordering the Hunter (as it was now known) into production during March 1950.
On 7th September 1953, the sole Hunter Mk 3 (the modified first prototype, WB188) broke the world air speed record for jet-powered aircraft, achieving 727.63 mph (1,171.01 km/h) over Littlehampton, flown by Neville Duke.
The single-seat Hunter entered service as a manoeuvrable fighter aircraft and later operated in fighter-bomber and reconnaissance roles during numerous conflicts. The two-seat variants remained in use for training and in secondary roles with the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy (RN) until the early 1990’s.
Hunter was widely exported, serving with 21 other nations air forces and sixty years after its original introduction it was still in active service, being operated by the Lebanese Air Force until 2014.
During public displays, Hunters were also used by the RAF Display Teams ‘The Blue Diamonds’ (who flew 16 aircraft) and ‘The Black Arrows’ (who on one occasion looped a record-breaking 22 examples in formation).
In British service, the aircraft was replaced by the English Electric Lightning, the Hawker Siddeley Harrier and the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II.
Hawker Hunter Image Gallery
of
Hawker Hunter prototype
Hawker Hunter prototype (WB188) - The record breaking Hunter
Hawker Hunter (WB188)
Hawker Hunter (WB188) taxying for take off with Neville Duke at the controls
Hawker Hunter
Hawker Hunter air to air
Hawker Hunter GA11
Hawker Hunter GA11 (WT804) on apron
Hawker Hunter F6
Hawker Hunter F6 RAF (XG232) in 1984
Hawker Hunter Trainer
Hawker Hunter 2 Seat Trainer
Hunter T Mk.8 RN
Hunter T Mk.8 RN (XL604) air to air
Hawker Hunter T Mk.8 RN
Hawker Hunter T Mk.8 RN (XL580) air to air
Hawker Hunter FGA.9 (XG154) air to air
Hawker Hunter FGA.9 (XG154) air to air
Hawker Hunter Mk.58
Hawker Hunter Mk.58 (J4013) Swiss Air Force
Specification (F6)
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Powerplant
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1 × Rolls-Royce Avon 207 turbojet, 10,145 lbf (45.13 kN)
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Span
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33 ft 8 in (10.26 m)
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Maximum Weight
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Loaded - 17,750 lb (8,050 kg) / Take-off - 24,600 lb (11,158 kg)
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Capacity
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One pilot
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Maximum Speed
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Mach 0.94, 620 kn (715 mph, 1,150 km/h) at sea level
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Maximum Range
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Combat - 385 nmi (445 mi, 715 km) / Ferry -1,650 nmi (1,900 mi, 3,060 km) with external fuel tanks
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Variants
| Hawker P.1067 3 built |
Prototype, with the first (WB188) later modified as a Hunter Mk 3 for the successful World Speed Record attempts. |
| Hawker P.1083 1 built |
Supersonic prototype design based on the P.1067 with afterburning Avon engine. Project abandoned: fuselage and tail used for the P.1099. |
| Hawker P.1101 2 built |
Two-seat trainer prototype |
| Hunter F.1 139 built |
Production version with Avon 113 engine, |
| Hunter F.2 45 built |
Sapphire 101 engine built at Armstrong Whitworth, Coventry. |
| Hunter Mk.3 1 built |
Sometime erroneously identified as an F.3 (it carried no weapons) the 1st prototype was fitted with after-burning Avon RA.7R engine, a pointed nose, airbrakes and a revised screen. Aircraft (WB188) went on to break the World Speed Record in 1953 at 727.6mph. |
| Hunter F.4 349 built |
Bag tanks in the wings, fittings for underwing fuel tanks and fitted with Avon 115 (later Avon 121) engine. Additional blisters under the nose for ammunition links, built at Kingston-upon-Thames and Blackpool. |
| Hunter F.5 105 built |
F.4 with Sapphire 101 engine, built by Armstrong Whitworth at Coventry. |
| Hunter F.6 384 built |
Clear-weather interceptor fighter powered bya 10,150 lbf (45.17 kN) Rolls-Royce Avon 203 turbojet engine, revised wing with a leading edge 'dogtooth' and four hardpoints. |
| Hunter F.6A | Modified F.6 with brake parachute and 230 gallon inboard drop tanks. |
| Hunter T.7 4 conversions and 65 built. |
Trainer variant with side by side seating replacing the single seat nose. Engine and systems were the same the F.4.. The dog-tooth leading edge and follow-up tailpane mods, as on the F.6, were fitted to the T.7. |
| Hunter T.7A | T.7 modified with the Integrated Flight Instrumentation System (IFIS). Used by the RAF as a Blackburn Buccaneer conversion training aircraft. |
| Hunter T.8 18 conversions and 10 built. |
Two-seat trainer for the Royal Navy. Fitted with an arrestor hook for use on RN airfields but otherwise similar to the T.7 |
| Hunter T.8B | T.8 with TACAN radio-navigation system and IFIS fitted, cannon and ranging radar removed. Used by the Royal Navy as a Blackburn Buccaneer conversion training aircraft, four conversions. |
| Hunter T.8C 11 conversions |
T.8 with TACAN fitted. |
| Hunter T.8M | T.8 fitted with the Sea Harrier's Blue Fox radar, used to train Sea Harrier pilots. |
| Hunter FGA.9 128 conversions |
Single-seat ground-attack fighter variant for the RAF, modified from F.6 airframes. Strengthened wing, 230 gallon inboard drop tanks, tail chute. |
| Hunter FR.10 33 built |
Single-seat reconnaissance version with 3 x F95 cameras, revised instrument panel layout, brake parachute and 230 gallon inboard drop tanks. |
| Hunter GA.11 40 conversions |
Single-seat weapons training version for the Royal Navy and fitted with an arrester hook. |
| Hunter PR.11 | Single-seat reconnaissance version for the Royal Navy. |
| Hunter Mk.12 6 conversions and 1 built |
Two-seat test aircraft for the Royal Aircraft Establishment. One built, converted from an F.6 airframe. |
| Hunter Mk.50 120 built |
Export version of the Hunter F.4 fighter for Sweden (Designated J34). |
| Hunter Mk.51 30 built |
Export version of the Hunter F.4 fighter for Denmark. |
| Hunter Mk.52 16 conversions |
Export version of the Hunter F.4 fighter for Peru. |
| Hunter T.53 2 built |
Export version of the Hunter T.7 trainer for Denmark. |
| Hunter Mk.56 160 built |
Export version of the Hunter F.6 fighter for India with brake parachute and the provision to carry 500 lb (227 kg) bombs. |
| Hunter FGA.56A | Export version of the Hunter FGA.9 ground-attack fighter for India. |
| Hunter FGA.57 4 conversions |
Export version of the Hunter FGA.9 ground-attack fighter for Kuwait. |
| Hunter Mk.58 12 conversions and 88 built |
Export version of the Hunter F.6 fighter for Switzerland. |
| Hunter Mk.58A 52 conversions |
Export version of the Hunter FGA.9 ground-attack fighter for Switzerland. |
| Hunter FGA.59 24 conversions |
Export version of the Hunter FGA.9 ground-attack fighter for Iraq. |
| Hunter FGA.59A 18 conversions |
Converted F.6's sold to Iraq. |
| Hunter FGA.59B 4 conversions |
Converted F.6's sold to Iraq. |
| Hunter F.60 4 conversions |
Export version of the Hunter F.6 fighter for Saudi Arabia, conversions from F.6s. |
| Hunter T.62 | Export version of the Hunter T.7 trainer for Peru. |
| Hunter T.66 20 built |
Two-seat training version for the Indian Air Force, powered by a Rolls-Royce Avon 200 turbojet engine. |
| Hunter T.66A 1 conversion |
A composite Hunter built from damaged aircraft for display at the Paris Salon. Used as a demonstration aircraft, finished in red and white, later sold to Chile as a T.72. |
| Hunter T.66B 2 conversions and 1 built |
Export version of the Hunter T.66 trainer for Jordan |
| Hunter T.66C 3 conversion |
Export version of the Hunter T.66 trainer for Lebanon |
| Hunter T.66D 12 conversions |
Sold to India and converted from F.6's. |
| Hunter T.66E 5 conversions |
Sold to India and converted from F.6's. |
| Hunter T.67 4 conversions |
Export version of the Hunter T.66 trainer for Kuwait, conversions from F.6s. |
| Hunter T.688 conversions | Export version of the Hunter T.66 trainer for Switzerland, conversions from F.5s and Mk 50s. |
| Hunter T.69 3 conversions |
Export version of the Hunter T.66 trainer for Iraq, conversions from F.6s. |
| Hunter FGA.70 4 conversions |
Export version of the Hunter FGA.9 ground-attack fighter for Lebanon, conversions from F.6s. |
| Hunter FGA.70A | Export version of the Hunter FGA.9 ground-attack fighter for Lebanon, conversions from F.6s. |
| Hunter T.70 2 built |
This was the unofficial designation given to two ex-RAF Hunter T.7s sold to Saudi Arabia. |
| Hunter FGA.71 | Export version of the Hunter FGA.9 ground-attack fighter for Chile. |
| Hunter FR.71A | Export version of the Hunter FR.10 reconnaissance aircraft for Chile. |
| Hunter T.72 | Export version of the T.66 trainer for Chile. |
| Hunter FGA.73 | Export version of the Hunter FGA.9 ground-attack fighter for Jordan. |
| Hunter FGA.73A 4 built |
Export version of the Hunter FGA.9 ground-attack fighter for Jordan. |
| Hunter FGA.73B 3 built |
Export version of the Hunter FGA.9 ground-attack fighter for Jordan. |
| Hunter FGA.74 12 built |
Export version of the Hunter FGA.9 ground-attack fighter for Singapore. |
| Hunter FR.74A 4 built |
Export version of the Hunter FR.10 reconnaissance aircraft for Singapore |
| Hunter FR.74B 22 built |
Export version for Singapore. |
| Hunter T.75 4 built |
Export version of the Hunter T.66 trainer for Singapore. |
| Hunter T.75A 5 built |
Export version for Singapore. |
| Hunter FGA.76 | Export version of the Hunter FGA.9 ground-attack fighter for Abu Dhabi. |
| Hunter FR.76A | Export version of the Hunter FR.10 reconnaissance aircraft for Abu Dhabi. |
| Hunter T.77 | Export version of the Hunter T.7 trainer for Abu Dhabi. |
| Hunter FGA.78 | Export version of the Hunter FGA.9 ground-attack fighter for Qatar. |
| Hunter T.79 | Export version of the Hunter T.7 trainer for Qatar. |
| Hunter FGA.80 | Ex-RAF FGA.9 ground-attack fighter sold to Kenya. |
| Hunter T.81 | Export version of the Hunter T.66 trainer for Kenya. |
Survivors
Their are hundreds of surviving flying Hunter aircraft, display airframes in museums and Gate Guardians and a number in private ownership.
Therefore, the list below are those which are UK based and where possible links to reference websites are provide. It is as accurate as possible at the time of writing.
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Hunter F.1
(WT569)
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2117 Squadron ATC, Kenfig Hill, Mid Glamorgan, Wales
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Hunter F.51
(WV314 / E-424)
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Aeroventure, Lakeside and Leisure Complex, Doncaster, South Yorkshire |
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Hunter T.8C
(WT722 / G-BWGN)
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Airbase, Newquay Cornwall Airport, Cornwall
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Hunter T.7
(N-315 / XM121)
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Alba Power (Gate Guard), Netherley, Aberdeen, Scotland
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Hunter F.1
(WT680)
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Anglia Motel, Fleet Hargate, Lincolnshire
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Hunter T.8C
(WT799)
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Blue Lagoon Diving & Leisure Centre, Womersley, Yorkshire
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Hunter F.6
(XF375 / G-BUEZ)
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Boscombe Down Aviation Collection, Old Sarum Airfield, Wiltshire
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Hunter F.6A
(XG160 / G-BWAF)
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Bournemouth Aviation Museum, Bournemouth Airport, Hurn, Dorset
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Hunter F.6
(XJ690 / ET-273)
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Bournemouth Aviation Museum, Bournemouth Airport, Hurn, Dorset
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Hunter F.51
(E-412)
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Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey
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Hunter F.1
(WT694)
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Caernarfon Air World, Caernaerfon Aerodrome, Gwynedd, Wales www.airworldmuseum.com |
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Hunter T.8C
(WV322 / G-BZSE)
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Canfield Hunter Ltd., North Weald, Essex
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Hunter F.51
(XE683 / XF383 / E-409)
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City of Norwich Aviation Museum, Horsham St. Faith, Norfolk
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Hunter FR.10
(XG168 / XG172)
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City of Norwich Aviation Museum, Horsham St. Faith, Norfolk
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Hunter GA.11
(WV256 / G-BZPB)
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Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre, Newquay, Cornwall
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| Hunter GA.11 (WT806) |
Dave Thomas, Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire
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Hunter T.7
(XX467/G-TVII/ 836 70-617/XL605)
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Dave Thomas, Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire
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Hunter F.6
(XG164)
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Davidstow Airfield and Cornwall at War Museum, Davidstow, Cornwall
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Hunter FGA.9
(XJ695)
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Defence Fire Services Central Training Establishment (fire training), Manston Airfield, Kent |
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Hunter F.4
(WT746)
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Dumfries & Galloway Aviation Museum, Dumfries & Galloway,
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Hunter GA.11
(WV382)
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East Midlands Aeropark, East Midlands Airport, Leicestershire
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Hunter FR.10
(XJ714 / WT684 / XF383 / XM126 / XG226 / PH-NLH / ET-272)
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East Midlands Aeropark, East Midlands Airport, Leicestershire
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Hunter T.7
(XL569)
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East Midlands Aeropark, East Midlands Airport, Leicestershire
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Hunter T.7
(WV383)
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Farnborough Air Sciences Trust, Farnborough, Hampshire
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Hunter GA.11
(WT804)
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Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire
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Hunter T.8M
(XL580)
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Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset
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Hunter F.6
(XF509)
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Fort Paull Museum, Paull, East Yorkshire
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Hunter F.51
(XF418 / E-430 / XG226)
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Gatwick Aviation Museum, Charlwood, Surrey
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Hunter T.7
(XL591)
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Gatwick Aviation Museum, Charlwood, Surrey
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Hunter T.7
(XL565 / WT745)
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Geoffrey Pool, Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, Leicestershire
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Hunter T.7A
(WV318 / G-FFOX)
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G-FFOX Group, Cranfield, Bedfordshire
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Hunter T.8M
(XL602 / G-BWFT)
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Horizon Aircraft, RAF St. Athan, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales
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Hunter F.58
(J-4021 / G-BWIU)
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Hawker Hunter Aviation Ltd, RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire
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Hunter F.58
(J-4081 / G-BWKB)
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Hawker Hunter Aviation Ltd, RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire
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Hunter T.8B
(XF995 / G-BZSF)
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Hawker Hunter Aviation Ltd, RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire
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Hunter F.58
(ZZ190 / G-HHAE / G-BXNZ / J-4066)
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Hawker Hunter Aviation Ltd, RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire
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Hunter F.58
(ZZ191 / G-HHAD / G-BWFS / J-4058)
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Hawker Hunter Aviation Ltd, RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire
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Hunter T.7
(G-HPUX / XL587)
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Hawker Hunter Aviation Ltd, RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire
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Hunter F.58
(J-4072)
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Hawker Hunter Aviation Ltd, RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire
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Hunter GA.11
(XE685 / G-GAII)
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Hawker Hunter Aviation Ltd, RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire
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Hunter T.8C
(XF994 / G-CGHU)
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Hawker Hunter Aviation Ltd, RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire
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Hunter F.1
(WT660)
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Highland Aircraft Preservation Society, near Inverness, Scotland
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Hunter T.7A
(XF321)
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Hunter Flying Club Ltd. Exeter Airport, Devon
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Hunter F.58
(J-4031 / G-BWFR)
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Hunter Flying Club Ltd. Exeter Airport, Devon
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Hunter F.58
(J-4090 / G-SIAL)
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Hunter Flying Club Ltd. Exeter Airport, Devon
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Hunter PR.11
(XG194 / WT723 / G-PRII)
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Interactive Dynamics, RAF St. Athan, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales
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Hunter F.6A
(XE627)
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IWM Duxford, Cambridgeshire
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Hunter T.7
(XL600 / G-RAXA / G-VETA)
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Jet Aircraft Museum, Cotswold Airport, Kemble, Gloucestershire
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Hunter FGA.9
(XG252)
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John St.Clair-Quentin, Hereford, Herefordshire & Worcestershire
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Hunter F.58
(G-PSST / J-4104)
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Jonathon Whaley, RAF St. Athan, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan
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Hunter T.7
(XL618)
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Lakes Lightnings, Newark Air Museum, Winthorpe, Nottinghamshire
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Hunter GA.11
(WT711)
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Lakes Lightnings, Spark Bridge, Cumbria
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Hunter T.7
(XL573 / G-BVGH)
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Mark Stott (flyer), RAF St. Athan, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales
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Hunter F.6A
(XF382)
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Midland Air Museum, Coventry Airport, Warwickshire
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Hunter F.1
(WT651)
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Newark Air Museum, Winthorpe, Nottinghamshire
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Hunter FGA.9
(XG254)
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Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum, Flixton, Suffolk
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Hunter F.51
(E-419)
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North East Aircraft Museum, Sunderland, Northumberland & Tyneside
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Hunter F.5
(WP185)
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Paul & Andy Wood, Great Dunmow, Essex
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Hunter F.58
(J-4091)
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Phoenix Aviation, Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, Leicestershire
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Hunter T.7
(XL567)
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Privately owned, Bournemouth Airport, Hurn, Dorset
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Hunter T.7
(G-BNCX / XL621)
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Privately owned, Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey
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Hunter GA.11
(WT744)
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Privately owned, Ilfracombe, Devon |
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Hunter T.7
(XL578)
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Privately owned, Kendal, Cumbria |
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Hunter T.7
(XL592)
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Privately owned, Maidenhead, Berkshire |
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Hunter F.6
(XG274)
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Privately owned, Newmarket, Suffolk |
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Hunter F.51
(E-402)
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Privately owned, Pudden Hill, Co. Meath, Eire |
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Hunter T.7
(XL612)
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Privately owned, Swansea Airport, West Glamorgan, Wales |
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Hunter F.6
(XF527)
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RAF Halton (Gate guard), Buckinghamshire
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Hunter F.1
(WT612)
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RAF Henlow (Gate guard), Bedfordshire
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Hunter F.6A
(XG225)
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RAF Museum Cosford (gate guardian), Shropshire
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Hunter F.1
(WT619)
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RAF Museum Cosford (gate guardian), Shropshire
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Hunter T.7A
(XL568)
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RAF Museum Cosford (gate guardian), Shropshire
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Hunter FR.10
(853 / XF426)
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RAF Museum, Hendon, Greater London
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Hunter FGA.9
(XG154)
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RAF Museum, Hendon, Greater London
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Hunter T.8C
(WV396)
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RAF Valley (Gate guard), Anglesey, Wales
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Hunter F.6A
(XE620 / XE606)
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RAF Waddington (8 Sqn gate guard), Lincolnshire
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Hunter F.51
(E-423)
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Enstone Airfield, Oxfordshire
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Hunter F.51
(E-425)
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Solway Aviation Museum, Carlisle Airport, Cumbria
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Hunter F.2
(WN904)
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Sywell Aviation Museum, Sywell Aerodrome, Northamptonshire
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Hunter F.3
(WB188)
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Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, Tangmere, West Sussex
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Hunter F.5
(WP190)
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Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, Tangmere, West Sussex
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Hunter FGA.9
(XG194)
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Wattisham Airfield Museum, Wattisham, Sussex
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Hunter T.7
(XL623)
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Woking town centre (pole mounted), Surrey said to be relocating to Brooklands Museum, Weybridge
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Hunter FGA.78
(N-268 / QA-10)
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Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, North Yorkshire
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Hunter T.7
(XL571 / XL572 / G-HNTR)
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Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, North Yorkshire
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