RAF Hunters still in air defence role in 1976?

The Tactical Weapons Unit was formed on 2 Sept 1974 from 229 OCU at Brawdy with 63, 79 & 234 Shadow Squadrons. Over time they flew a number of types including
Hawk T.1 / T.1A
Hunter F.6/6A & FGT.9 & T.7
Meteor T.7 / F.8
Jet Provost T.3/4

Became No.1 TWU on 31 July 1978 when No.2 TWU formed at Lossiemouth. It used Hunter T.7 / FGA.9, Jet Provost T.3 & Hawk T.1. 2 TWU disbanded on 1 May 1981 at which point a detachment of No.1 TWU at Chivenor became No.2 TWU.

IIRC at least one of these units was using Hunters into the late 1980s / early 1990s when Hawk took over entirely. Both TWU were amalgamated into 7 FTS in 1992.

The last Hunters in RAF service were those in 237 OCU supporting Buccaneer training until March 1993.
https://www.key.aero/article/last-hunting-ground

The last Fleet Air Arm Hunters were withdrawn in March 1995.
https://fradu.info/hunter/hunter7xx/xxxnas.html
https://www.fradu.info/hunter/history.html
 
EwenS said:
The Tactical Weapons Unit was formed on 2 Sept 1974 from 229 OCU at Brawdy with 63, 79 & 234 Shadow Squadrons. Over time they flew a number of types including
Hawk T.1 / T.1A
Hunter F.6/6A & FGT.9 & T.7
Meteor T.7 / F.8
Jet Provost T.3/4

Became No.1 TWU on 31 July 1978 when No.2 TWU formed at Lossiemouth. It used Hunter T.7 / FGA.9, Jet Provost T.3 & Hawk T.1. 2 TWU disbanded on 1 May 1981 at which point a detachment of No.1 TWU at Chivenor became No.2 TWU.

IIRC at least one of these units was using Hunters into the late 1980s / early 1990s when Hawk took over entirely. Both TWU were amalgamated into 7 FTS in 1992.

The last Hunters in RAF service were those in 237 OCU supporting Buccaneer training until March 1993.
https://www.key.aero/article/last-hunting-ground

The last Fleet Air Arm Hunters were withdrawn in March 1995.
https://fradu.info/hunter/hunter7xx/xxxnas.html
https://www.fradu.info/hunter/history.html
Click to expand...

So those 18 Hunters screambled in the ITN's fictional WW3 scenario could have been FGA9s in the TWU.

Probably in (low altitude) air base defence, just like the Hawk T1As with AIM-9s in the 1980's.
 
DWG said:
IIRC there's still Hawker Hunter Aviation operating 10 Mk 58s + 4 trainers out of Scampton on various RAF/RN taskings.
Click to expand...
It's HHA at Leeming and apparently they also have a Buccaneer and...a Fitter! Now that would be a sight to behold in Yorkshire skies.

Hawker Hunter Aviation Ltd | HHA https://share.google/KfUcJ82iJhg48sVvO

Anyway, if the incoming threat in the TV scenario comprised Bears and Badgers, a good seeing to from an FGA.9 with four ADENs would be sufficient. It's what they were designed for. Probably as good as a Hawk with an ADEN and two Sidewinders against a Bear or Badger.

See article on the ADEN in latest Aviation Historian and the recent RAeS conference on the Hunter at Cosford.

Chris
 

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