Hawker Sea Hawk


F1, F2 Fighters, FB3 Fighter Bomber & FGA4 Ground Attack Fighter


Sea Hawk FGA4


The Sea Hawk was developed from the Hawker P.1040 land-based interceptor design into a carrierbourne fighter and light attack aircraft. The F1 was powered by a 5,000 lb Rolls Royce Nene Mk 101 turbojet and carried 4 20 mm cannon. The first production aircraft first flew on 14 November 1951 and entered service in March 1953. Fully powered aileron controls were added in the F2.

A strengthened wing was added to F2 design to produce the FB3 and FGA4 fighter bomber and ground attack variants. These supplemented the 4 cannon with underwing stores including bombs, rockets and fuel drop tanks. The Sea Hawk formed the backbone of the RN's tactical fighter force throughout the 1950's and took part in the Suez operation.

A total of 95 F1, 40 F2, 116 FB3 and 97 FGA4 were built for the Royal Navy. Other sales were made to the Netherlands and Germany. India purchased both new and refurbished ex-RN aircraft and continued to use the type until 1983.


FB5 Fighter Bomber & FGA6 Ground Attack Fighter


Once delivery of the FB3 and FGA4 had been completed it was decided to re-engine them with the Nene Mk 103 producing the FB5 and FGA6 respectively. A further batch of FGA6 were newly built, the last of which was delivered in 1956. Replacement of the Sea Hawk with the Scimitar began in the late 1950's, with the last front line Sea Hawk squadron disbanding in December 1960, although some FGA6 continued to serve in second line roles into the 1960's.

A total of 86 FGA6 were newly built and most FB3 and FGA4 were converted to FB5 and FGA6 standard respectively.

(Sea Hawk FGA6)
Dimensions: Span 11.89 m (39ft) ; Length 12.09 m (39ft 8in) ; Height 2.64 m (8ft 8in) ; Wing Area 25.83 sq.m (278 sq.ft)
Weights: Empty 4208 kg (9,278 lb) ; Maximum Take-off 7327 kg (16,153 lb)
Powerplant: one Rolls Royce Nene Mk 103 turbojet - 2359 kg (5,200 lb) thrust.
Performance: Maximum speed at sea level 599 mph (964 kph, 521 kt)
Armament: 4 20 mm cannon ; 4 pylons for 4 500lb bombs, up to 10 3-inch rockets or drop tanks (inner two pylons only)