Hawker Hunter GA11, G-GAII / HABL003028, GA11 Ltd.
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: G-GAII
Construction Number: HABL003028
Code Number: XE685 / VL-861
Model Hawker Hunter GA11
Operator: GA11 Ltd.
Airport: Exeter (EXT / EGTE), UK - England
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 20/09/2010
Date Submitted: 23/10/2010
Photographed taxying in after leading a three-ship formation of Hunters back to Exeter from the Sanicole Airshow in Belgium. One of four Hunters now operated by Team Viper, she was built as an F.4 for the Royal Air Force in 1955, serving with 93 and 98 Squadrons at RAF Jever in the then West Germany. In 1960 she was returned to Hawkers and was one of forty converted to GA.11 specification for the Fleet Air Arm. The GA.11s were fitted with an arrestor hook and a 'Harley light' in the nose. She returned to active service in 1963 with 764 NAS at Lossiemouth. During 1966 she was loaned back to Hawkers for trials, and was fitted with four practice bomb carriers under the front fuselage and one under each pylon enabling the aircraft to carry eight 25lb practice bombs. The trials completed, she was then returned to the Fleet Air Arm and served with the RNAS Yeovilton Station Flight, 764 NAS once again, and in 1973 the Air Direction Training Unit (ADTU) at Yeovilton. The ADTU later became the Fleet Requirements and Air Direction Unit (FRADU). She would spend most of the next twenty years with the FRADU until retiring from service in 1994. She was then sold to Barry Pover and the Lightning Flying Club at Exeter and registered very appropriately as G-GAII. She was operated on the airshow circuit between 1995 and 1998 before being put into storage in 1999. Changing hands several times, she was returned to airworthy condition and took to the air again in February 2006 before appearing at the Kemble Air Day later that year. As one of the Team Viper Hunters, she will hopefully continue to delight airshow goers in the UK, Europe and further afield for some time to come. As the Hunter will celebrate its 60th Anniversary in 2011 it is wonderful to see this elegant fighter still gracing the skies.
Picture ID:1258203