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The Hawker Jet Era updated 10Jul03 |
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At the Association's 9th April meeting retired Chief Engineer Ralph Hooper gave an illustrated talk on Kingston's jet fighters, addressing all significant unbuilt projects as well as those which flew as prototypes or went into service. About 60 members were present. |
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A fascinating personal touch came from Ralph's memories of his career and the people he worked with as he progressed from the Experimental DO ( design work on the P.1052, Hunter and P.1083), through the Project Office (supersonic fighter projects including the P.1103 and P.1121, preliminary design and project development of the P.1127 and the supersonic P.1150 and P.1154) to Chief Engineer (responsible for the Harrier, the Hawk and projects including the advanced V/STOL P.1212, P.1214 and P.1216). A full report will be in the next Newsletter. |
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Chris Farara |
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Sir Stanley Hooker Memorial Address |
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On March 24th Ralph Hooper gave this biennial lecture at the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust Bristol Branch's president's evening. |
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Entitled "Hooker's Engines in Hawkers' Aeroplanes" it started with the Hurricane whose Merlin XX had a Hooker supercharger then moved on to the Nene powered P.1040, Sea Hawk, P.1052 and P.1081, the Avon powered Hunter, the Pegasus powered P.1127/Harrier series and the Adour Hawk. |
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Most time was spent on the early days of the BE.53 and P.1127 when the engine was developed by Gordon Lewis, who was at the lecture, as the airframe was developed by Ralph. |
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This lecture recorded accurately for the first time all the major events and the people involved in this exciting pioneering work. |
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Ralph also covered unflown projects such as the Mach 2 P.1121 fighter, the supersonic V/STOL P.1154 and the |
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Chris Farara |
