http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bAurTOiSN8
Although I got my wings 30 years ago, that video made me feel like it was yesterday. Thanks for that.
The title reminded me of a Curtiss Goshawk model I built as a kid. Shouldn't they call it a Goshawk II, as they did with the Phantom and Thunderbolt? Great video... "the last fighter pilot has already been born".
Yup, they should. Used to see them flying low level in southern Colorado while fly fishing near San Luis. Long ways from the ocean, so probably hitting a low level route while going cross country.
Yep, I used to see Thunderbolt II's screaming down the valleys and hopping over hills while I was fly fishing near Gothic and Crested Butte in Colorado. Usually just single planes. Training...
Awesome vid. Thanks for that. I flew the RAF Hawk T Mk1 while I was assigned to the Fast Jet Test Squadron in the UK. Was a great airplane but no way near as "sturdy" as the T-45.
Wasn't it beefed up for carrier duty? Landing gear (double nose wheels), arresting hook, structural additions.
The nose gear has to take catapult loads and turn tighter than the Hawk, the main gear (and nose gear) has to take 25-26 fps touchdowns, and the rear had to take carrier cable arrests, so they probably were quite beefed up. The T-45 was also modified for better low speed characteristics for carrier landings. Did not see that the wings folded, probably because their stays on carriers are limited and they are already pretty small.
The Hawk T...this one is from RAF Valley where I trained to fly it...has all of its original lightness. It's an 8G jet, though the two I flew at Boscombe Down after finishing at Valley were the only 9G Hawks in the world. The Hawk T had no hardened tail for a hook, nor any beefed up gear and supporting structural mods. The T-45 also has a different speedbrake that allows carrying more power on final to decrease spoolup time on a go or missed wire. Image Unavailable, Please Login
They were flying Hawks at RAF Valley in the early 80s when I went in there cross country in an F-111F out of RAF Lakenheath. Looks like it would have been a fun aircraft to fly. Replaced the Folland Gnat, an even smaller aircraft.
The RAF Hawks are an absolute joy to fly. Flying from the pit is super easy as the visibility over the front is perfect. Engine out performance is superb...just a heavy glider. They turn and fight way better than a T-38 and fly phenomenally well at 100' AGL! It's a pretty plane too.
