Hawker Sea Hawk

Lore & Background

Towards the end of the Second World War, Hawker's design team became increasingly interested in developing a fighter aircraft using jet propulsion. The design team studied the potential adaptation of the Hawker Fury/Sea Fury, using the Rolls-Royce Griffon-powered Fury prototype as the starting point. The piston engine was deleted and replaced with a single Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet engine fitted in a mid-fuselage position, with lateral air intakes and a tailpipe emerging beneath the tailplane.

This design received the internal designation P.1035. In December 1944, Hawker refined the design substantially, moving the jet exhaust to two short split-lateral bifurcated exhausts embedded in the trailing edge of the wing root, with air intakes moved to the wing root leading edge. The redesign led to the new name P.1040.

The Air Ministry issued encouragement for Hawker's development, but according to aviation author Francis K. Mason, the Air Ministry and the Admiralty initially viewed the project with only academic interest. Official interest cooled further after Rolls-Royce expressed doubts on the viability of the bifurcated jet pipes. Hawker elected to refine the P.1040 design as a private venture.

In January 1946, a naval version, the P.1046, was offered to the Admiralty as a fleet support fighter. The Admiralty was not enthusiastic, in part due to the development of the Supermarine Attacker, but was intrigued by the long range and promise of increased power from the Nene engine. In May 1946, the Naval Staff authorised manufacture of three prototypes and a further test specimen in accordance with Naval Specification N.7/46.

Prototypes

On 2 September 1947, the P.1040 prototype VP401 conducted its maiden flight from RAF Boscombe Down, piloted by Bill Humble. Early flight trials encountered aerodynamic teething problems, including airframe vibrations and tail buffeting, which led to a redesign of the rear jet pipe fairings and the addition of a bullet-shaped anti-shock body on the tail. On 31 August 1948, a naval prototype VP413, equipped with folding wings, catapult spools and armament, conducted its first flight.

Deck assessment trials revealed the need for the wing span to be increased by 30 inches. On 17 October 1949, the third prototype VP422 made its maiden flight, incorporating modifications including a longer arrester hook and fixtures for rocket-assisted take-off gear. On 22 November 1949, Hawker received an initial production contract for 151 aircraft named Sea Hawk.

Reader's Guide

The Hawker Sea Hawk was notable as Hawker's first jet aircraft, derived from the piston-engined Fury/Sea Fury. Its unusual bifurcated jet pipes, embedded in the wing roots, reduced pressure losses and freed space in the rear fuselage for fuel tanks, giving the aircraft a longer range than many other early jets. The absence of wing fuel tanks allowed a thinner wing.

The Sea Hawk also featured a nose wheel undercarriage, the first for a Hawker-built aircraft. The aircraft was built to accommodate four 20mm Hispano-Suiza Mk. V cannon.

The Sea Hawk proved to be a reliable and sturdy workhorse in Royal Navy service. A considerable number were produced for the export market and were operated from aircraft carriers in Dutch and Indian service. The last operational Sea Hawks, operated by the Indian Navy, were retired in 1983. The P.1040 design also led to the eventual development of the land-based swept wing Hawker Hunter fighter; swept wing versions (P.1052 and P.1081) were built and the experience gained with these was instrumental in developing the design of the Hunter.