Commentator Speech

Airshow Commentator's Speech

The aircraft displaying is a Hawker Hunter MK58, operated by Hawker Hunter Aviation Ltd (HHA), based next to the Red Arrows at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire. Today it is being flown by (pilot description as shown below).

EITHER

former RAF Squadron Leader Louis McQuade, HHA’s Operations Manager. He has extensive experience not only on the Hunter, but also on the Phantom, Tornado and F18 aircraft

OR
Bill Blair Hickman, our chief Pilot with over 12000hrs in command.

OR
Pick relevant information from aircrew details section

HHA operate 14 aircraft primarily on sub contract work for various NATO governments, specifically aerial threat simulation and combat training against air, ground and naval forces. With a ceiling of 51,000ft, a maximum speed of 620 knots at sea level and a range of up to 1200nm the Hunter is the ideal aircraft for the task.

The Hunter MK58 is a single seat dual role fighter / ground attack aircraft and is the pinnacle of the Hunter design, which stretches back to the early 1950’s. Powered by an Rolls Royce Avon 207 engine which develops over 10,000lb of thrust, it’s maximum operating weight is around 24,500lb’s. For the purposes of this display, it is operating light at around 15,000lb’s, so providing a very good power to weight ratio.

This particular aircraft, J-4021 / G-HHAC, was built as a MK58 in 1958 and served with the Swiss Air Force throughout its life until it was acquired by HHA in the mid 90’s. It has been progressively updated by the Swiss and can now carry a wide variety of weapons and underwing stores. Internally it is equipped with 4x30mm canon; externally it can carry AIM 9 Sidewinders, Unguided rocket projectiles, AGM65 Maverick Missile, ECMI pods, target towing winches and additional fuel tanks. Swiss Hunters were also fitted with AN / ALE chaff / flare dispensers and Radar Warning Receivers. J-4021 is painted in the colours in which it finished its Swiss Air Force career, as the aircraft of the leader of the Swiss Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Patrouille Suisse and will be featuring prominently in supporting various Red Arrows 40th Anniversary celebrations this year.

The Hunter has had a long and distinguished history with many air forces. I think you will agree that it is probably the most beautiful jet ever built. From a pilots perspective it is an absolute delight to fly due to a combination of good performance and unsurpassably lovely handling.

If G-HHAD is flying, replace fourth paragraph above with the following:

This particular aircraft, J-4058 / G-HHAD, was built as a MK58 in 1958. It has been progressively updated by the Swiss and can now carry a wide variety of weapons: Internal 4x30mm canon, AIM 9 Sidewinders, Unguided rocket projectiles and the AGM65 Maverick Missile. Swiss Hunters were also fitted with AN / ALE chaff / flare dispensers and Radar Warning Receivers. J-4058 is painted in the colours of Fliegerstaffel 15, (Papyrus) in which it finished its Swiss Air Force career.

Aircraft are shown in their former military colours and would be repainted in colours of the sponsor's choice.