Hawker Hunter WV372 jet fighter aircraft flying at the Shuttleworth Trust
The Hawker Hunter is a subsonic British jet aircraft developed in the 1950s. The single-seat Hunter entered service as a manoeuvrable fighter aircraft, and later operated in fighter-bomber and reconnaissance roles in numerous conflicts. Two-seat variants remained in use for training and secondary roles with the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy until the early 1990s. The Hunter was also widely exported, serving with 21 other air forces; 50 years after its original introduction it is still in active service, operating with the Lebanese Air Force. This aircraft was originally built as a single seat for the Royal Air Force, by Hawker Aircraft Ltd at its Kingston-upon-Thames factory. First flown on 17th July 1955 by Hugh Merewether. The aeroplane was subsequently converted to a two seat trainer The aeroplane was transferred from RAF to Royal Navy charge on 2nd November 1984, and on 7th December joined the FRADU (Fleet Requirements and Air Direction Unit) at Yeovilton. Freshly re-finished into dark sea grey colours. In 1993 the aeroplane was moved to RNAS Culdrose and relegated to ground instructional duties as aeroplane 'A2619'. It was maintained in serviceable condition and regularly taxied until withdrawn from use in September 1996, and sold at auction. Between 1999 and 2010, WV372 was under the ownership of the Fox-One syndicate (derived from her civilian registration BXFI) and was maintained and operated by Delta Jets on the UK and European airshow circuit. In 2011, WV372 was sold & moved to Exeter Airport to join the Team Viper stable, where it was maintained by Hunter Flying Ltd (HFL). It retained its classic RAF camouflage schemef or the 2011 airshow season. Team Viper disbanded in the spring of 2012, and after WV372 was ferried to HFL's new base at St Athan in January, it changed hands once more. It was ferried to its new home at North Weald on 26th July 2012.
Size: 3657px × 2925px
Location: Old Warden Airfield, Bedfordshire, UK
Photo credit: © Niall Ferguson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: .7, aircraft, cold, fighter, flying, hawker, hunter, jet, raf, shuttleworth, trust, war, warden, wv372
