Chris farara has been scouring the internet (which see for more
detail)…
A number of civil organisations operate Hunters
under government
contracts for use, amongst other applications, as aerial targets, for
threat simulation, for trials support and for mission support training.
The Hunter is praised by the operators for its reliability, ruggedness,
range and duration (with drop tanks), adaptability to new roles with
new equipment, its high speed and low running costs. The extremely well
maintained and low-hours Swiss Air Force F.58s were purchased when the
type was withdrawn from service in 1994.
The major users are:
Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC)
An American company, based at Williamsburg
International Airport in
Newport News, Virginia, operates fourteen F.58s on United States
government contracts.
Apache Aviation
A French company contracted to the French Navy,
Apache is based at
Istres in Provence. It operates two single-seat Hunters and one
two-seater. Operations are in association with Lortie Aviation (see
below).
Hawker Hunter Aviation
Based at RAF Scampton, HHA operates a fleet of twelve F.58s and three two-seaters (T.7 and T.8) to provide services for the UK and overseas governments. These aircraft carry current military serial numbers.
Lortie Aviation
A Canadian company contracted to the Canadian and
US governments, Lortie is based in Quebec City and operates 21 Hunters,
mainly F.58s.
That’s a total of 53 aircraft, about four squadrons.
Not bad for a type that first flew in 1952, 67 years ago