Hawker (Armstrong Whitworth)
Sea Hawk
The Sea Hawk has always been one of my favourite aircraft.
Most of these models are based on the ancient Airfix kit, with decals from various sources, and range from one of my first model builds, circa 1973, up to the present day. The more detailed models are the much more recent HobbyBoss kit.
Scroll down for more details of each model.
Sea Hawk F.1 898 Sqn
Sea Hawk FB.3 738 Sqn
Sea Hawk FB.4 802 Sqn
Sea Hawk FGA.6 804 Sqn
Sea Hawk FGA.6
Airwork Services FRU
Sea Hawk FGA.6
806 Sqn/RNHF
The Sea Hawk was a truly elegant aircraft; although a joy to fly, reliable and effective, its military capabilities were never in the first division as it was underpowered, underarmed and aerodynamically unsophisticated.
Nevertheless, as Hawker's first jet aircraft, it exhibited all of focused purpose
and attention to detail that typified Hawker's products, entering RN service in 1953
as a replacement for the Sea Fury and the Attacker. An agile aircraft, more than
capable of holding its own in close quarters combat, it would continue in widespread
RN service until replaced by the Scimitar in the 1960s, whereupon it transitioned
to a supporting role with the Fleet Requirements Unit at Hurn until the late 1970s.
Amazingly, it continued in a key front line role with the Indian Navy, including
combat in two major Indo-
The initial 35 aircraft were built by Hawker themselves, with construction of the
subsequent aircraft contracted out to Armstrong Whitworth in Coventry, allowing Hawker
to concentrate their own efforts on Hunter production. Ironically, although the Sea
Hawk saw plenty of ground attack combat, its only use in anger as a fleet defence
fighter was a series of tense interceptions and mock dogfights with USN F4J Furys,
intent on disrupting the Anglo-
Airfix, with outer pylons removedand Modeldecal transfers
The F.1 Sea Hawk was a pure fighter, armed only with quadruple Hispano 20mm cannon. Although relatively nimble in the air, pilots found the controls overly heavy, so it was quickly superseded by the F.2 with powered ailerons.
Airfix with pylons removed and own decals
The FB.3 introduced a strengthened wing allowing the carriage of various ground attack
weapons. 738 Sqn provided a spectacular five ship red-
Airfix with outer pylons removed and own decals
The FB.4 further increased the Sea Hawk's ability by adding an additional set of
pylons and the ability to carry ground attack rockets. It formed the core of the
RN's Suez fighter-
Airfix OOB with kit decals
The final Sea Hawk variant was the FGA.6 with 8 underwing hard points, which entered RN service in 1956.
Airfix, with own decals.
As the RN's Sea Hawks were withdrawn from service in the late 1950s, they found new life with the Fleet Requirements Unit operating out of Bournemouth's Hurn Airport on contract to Airwork Services Ltd and painted in an attractive gloss black scheme with a Harley Light fitted in one drop tank. The Sea Hawks remained with FRU until 1970, when they were replaced by Hawker Hunters.
Airfix, with scratch modifications and decals Out the box.
The RNHF's magnificent Seahawk is the only remaining airworthy example of this elegant aircraft, and has recently returned to the sky after extensive repair work. This was the final operational colour scheme, with low demarcation line, white undersides and dark grey tail.
....and finally, here are some pictures of the real thing:
RN Historic Flight at Yeovilton
Royal Scottish Museum East Fortune -
p.s. same Squadron, same side number as the Airfix kit, but different aircraft !
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Sea Hawk FGA.6
810 Sqn
Hobby Boss with Airfix 500lb bombs and updated Modeldecal markings
The recent HobbyBoss kit is miles ahead of the Airfix offering and an easy build. The kit decals are a little crude, so this one uses a mix of ModelDecal set 19 and kit.
The double (B/Z) tail marking reflects the fact that ALBION’s aircraft operated briefly from BULWARK whilst she had catapult issues.
