Hawker Hunter: Books - History and Deployment (1/2)

Hawker's Early Jets - Dawn of the Hunter

On 2 September 1947, Hawker Aircraft Ltd figuratively and literally took to the air with their first jet design, the P.1040. Conceived in the latter days of the Second World War, and developed in the straitened times of post-war austerity, the aircraft allowed Hawker to explore the new technology before moving on to more ambitious programmes.
Rejected by the Royal Air Force, subsequent development of the aircraft allowed the Royal Navy to find in it a useful role at sea.

As this project slowly wound its way through the government bureaucracy against a background of national insolvency, Hawker continued their research into more potent forms of jet travel with their first swept wing aircraft, the P.1052, their first rocket powered example, the P.1072, and, finally, the sleek, all swept P.1081. These essentially research aircraft gave the company the experience and expertise it required to produce a powerful, transonic fighter with which to equip the RAF for the defence of the UK and other friendly nations at a time when the Cold War threatened to engulf the world in a truly global nuclear conflict.

That aircraft, the P.1067 Hunter first flew in 1951 and was, at the time, the fastest fighter in the world as evinced by gaining the World Airspeed Record in 1953 prior to entry into RAF service; at a stroke revolutionising the potential of the UK's air arm.
Such was the haste with which this occurred that many teething problems remained to be resolved, as detailed here, but eventually the aircraft would become the day fighter of choice for many of the world's air forces and remain in service for decades to come.

Hawker Hunter

Development of the Hawker Hunter began in 1946 under the steady hand of chief designer Sydney Camm. With so many advances in aircraft design and technology during the late 1940s, the process of turning Hawker's initial studies into the Hunter day fighter took some time.
However, with the arrival of the new Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet, and despite various teething troubles, the aircraft began to find its footing and entered RAF service in 1954.

Numerous versions were produced, which saw the aircraft move away from its early fighter role and on to ground-attack and reconnaissance. The Hunter was incapable of supersonic flight on the level, but in a dive, it could pass through the 'sound barrier' with ease. It was a manoeuvrable aircraft, could absorb rough handling and, in general, was revered by the many pilots who flew it.

With over 110 images, this book presents a general history of the type and covers its design and development, test flying, different production versions and a review of an extensive and successful service and combat career, both at home and with overseas air arms (the latter providing large-scale exports for British industry).
With a good number of Hunters still flying in private hands today, and numerous airframes held by museums in Britain and around the world, this book serves as a valuable reference for this outstanding fighter aircraft.

The Design and Development of the Hawker Hunter : The Creation of Britain's Iconic Jet Fighter

Many books have been written about the Hawker Hunter, one of the world's great jet fighters. The majority, however, have tended to concentrate on the aircraft's extensive service career.

Superbly illustrated with both colour and black-and-white photographs of the Hawker Hunter - which has always been one of the most photogenic of all aeroplanes - this title is the first devoted specifically to the Hunter's design and development: how and why the aircraft came into being, the troubles it experienced on the way, its flight test programme and what it was like to pilot.

Drawing on many original Air Staff and Ministry documents and also the Hawker aircraft day-to-day diaries, it tells the story of one-off modifications and trials projects, aerodynamic modifications and tests with various weapons, along with proposed developments, including supersonic versions.

The Hunter Story

One of the world's greatest aircraft, for three decades pilots enthused about the Hunter and its smooth lines, Rolls-Royce Avon engine, outstanding handling characteristics and lively performance.
Designed by Sir Sydney Camm, the genius behind the Hurricane, work on the Hunter commenced late in 1948, but the post-war economic situation in Britain delayed its first flight until 20 July 1951. In September 1953 Neville Duke piloted a Hunter to shatter the world speed record.

This book traces the history of the Hunter across RAF and worldwide service, from design and development to the glory days and the unforgettable aerobatic displays with the Black Knights, Black Arrows and Blue Diamonds. A real pilot's aeroplane, the Hunter reigned supreme for fifty years, with the last example retired in July 2001.

The Hawker Hunter - A Complete History

This is both a comprehensive work of reference and an authoritative history. It covers the origins of the aircraft from both the P1040 and P1052 swept-wing versions and moves through design and development of the twin-seat dual-control Hunter T7 to the 'ultimate' FGA.Mk.9.
The Hunters varied operational successes are noted with particular emphasis on major foreign users in Switzerland and India, and, amongst others, exports to Oman and Chile.

It faithfully reproduces extracts from the Hunter's original Aircrew Manual and presents appendices on service histories, serial numbers and the fate of every Hunter built.

Colour profiles and a set of scale plans ensure the complete history of the aircraft is presented in a single volume and provide essential reading for the aviation enthusiast or historian.