The Hawk is a two-seat subsonic trainer developed by Hawker Siddeley as a replacement for the Folland Gnat in 1968.  The Hawk has served as the main advanced jet trainer for the Royal Air Force for more than forty years.  The prototype Hawk made its first flight on August 21, 1974, with the first aircraft entering service in 1976.  The T.1A version of the Hawk included modifications allowing the carrying of Sidewinder missiles and a gun pod under the fuselage for air-to-air weapons training.  Versions of the Hawk have served with numerous military forces outside of England.  The United States Navy uses an aircraft carrier capable version called the Goshawk for advanced pilot training and carrier qualification.

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows was formed in 1964 by combining several earlier teams.  They flew their first public displays in 1965 with the Folland Gnat.  The team changed to the Hawk in 1979 and have flown it since then.  The team has performed throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America.  The Red Arrows last toured the United States and Canada in 2019 performing in air shows along side the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds and the Navy’s Blue Angels. 

Manufacturer
British Aerospace

Markings

Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows, RAF Scampton, 2011

Designation
Hawk T.1A

Serial Number
XX292