|
Since its first flight in 1974 the BAe Hawk has earned a reputation as the world's best advanced trainer and light strike aircraft. The basic design has been refined and improved in a series of variants ranging from multi-role light fighter to the US Navy's carrier trainer. But the one quality that sets the Hawk apart from other aircraft is handling characteristics. In the artist's own words, - "I had flown the Gnat and Hunter and in 1979 had just finished flying Canberra PR9s before transferring to the Jaguar, when I was given the opportunity to get some flying on the Hawk. It was a revelation. Here was an aircraft that was pure joy to fly, at low level it settled comfortably at 450 knots at around 150 feet and it could be flown into valleys under the most frightening weather safe in the knowledge that it could be turned around without losing airspeed almost in its own length. And at medium level? One v One combat in this aircraft is something else. - compared with the Hawk the Jaguar is like a flying anvil".
The outstanding handling and agility of the Hawk make it a joy to fly in any situation, but for most Hawk pilots nothing compares with the 'knife fight in a telephone box' excitement of Hawk versus Hawk low-level tactical evasion training in mountainous terrain as portrayed in Hawk Country. Set over the A4085 road by Beddgelert Forest in the Caernarfon Pass, North Wales, two grey-painted Hawks pursued by a 'bounce' fly out of the picture in a left-hand turn heading for Capel Curig and the A5 Nant Ffrancon/Ogwen pass, whilst three other Hawks, resplendent in the RAF's new gloss black paint scheme turn hard against the towering backdrop of cloud-capped Snowdon.
|
