Last Hawks: The last of nine Mk 167 Hawks (temporary UK serials ZB131 - 139) for the Qatari Emir Air Force left Brough in component form for final assembly at Warton in December 2020 ending Brough’s long involvement in the Hawk. It is likely that a joint QEAF/RAF training squadron will be formed at RAF Leeming.

    Hawk Airframe Life Extended: Engineers from BAES and the Australian Defence Department have successfully completed a structural testing programme that has seen a Hawk 127 airframe achieve the equivalent of 50,000 flying hours. This is five times the current clearance and more than ten times the current flying hours of RAAF aircraft. The RAF, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar operate similar standards of aircraft.
    BAE Systems to Support USMC AV-8B Harrier Fleet to 2029: BAES and Vertex Aerospace have signed a nine-year agreement to increase the availability of the USMC AV-8B Harrier II fleet. The U.S. Department of the Navy has awarded Vertex Aerospace the $123 million Contracted Maintenance, Modification, Aircrew, and Related Services (CMMARS) order to provide aircraft maintenance and Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) services. BAES is a subcontractor for the new logistics support contract. BAES and Vertex will support the training and combat operations from USN’s aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, and forward operating bases.
    Sea Harrier Cockpit Restoration: In Lincolnshire, the cockpit from crashed Sea Harrier ZD614 is being restored for trailer mounting by Richard Scarborough

Hawk, Harrier, Hunter & Navy Wings Aircraft News

    Lebanese Hunters: Lebanon is selling five Hunters which have been non-operational since 2010. Possible buyers include Hawker Hunter Aviation (UK), Airborne Tactical Advantage (USA) and Lortie Aviation (Canada) (See NL.55).
    Navy Wings Sea Fury FB11 and Sea Hawk: Following the transfer of ownership of the Sea Fury FB11 from the Royal Navy to Navy Wings, the engineering team has started a study to establish the work needed to make the engine serviceable. The team is also producing a feasibility study of work required to make the Sea Hawk airworthy.
    Royal Navy Historic Flight Sea Fury T20 Crash: On 28th April VX281 (G-RNHF) made a forced landing in a field close to RNAS Yeovilton following a loss of oil pressure in the Centaurus engine which stopped. The wings and engine broke away from the fuselage which rolled inverted. The two crew were able to climb out unaided and uninjured. In 2014 VX281 was landed successfully at Culdrose following a massive mechanical failure of the Centaurus; the undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft was rebuilt and a replacement Centaurus was obtained.