LIMITED EDITION

BAe Hawk T.1A 'ASTRA' QinetiQ Boscombe Down, Wilts., 2007 Hawk XX341 was manufactured as a Hawk T Mk1 by BAe at Dunsfold in May 1981 and has served at Boscombe Down since as an Advanced Stability Training and Research Aircraft (ASTRA) for the Empire Test Pilots' School. From January 1984 to June 1988 the aircraft underwent a modification programme at Cranfeild to embody a Variable Stability System (VSS). The system was designed and developed by the Flight Systems and Measurements Laboratories, Cranfield Institute of Techmology (CIT) under contract to MOD (PE) D Flying. The front cockpit is fitted with force feedback central and side-stick controllers and HUD intergral Up Front Controller. Except for the parking Brake, all normal front seat controls have been maved to the rear cockpit. The aircraft has full parameter on-board recording and telemetry. The aircraft is being continuously upgraded and is currently being fitted with new colour MFDs, a Hawk 100 specification HUD, Ring Laser Gyro unit, GPS, and a new Computer Symbol Generator.

BAe Hawk T.Mk 1

Designed by Hawker Siddley to replace the Folland Gnat, this single-engine, advanced jet trainer was first flown on August 21st, 1971. Because the BAE Systems Hawk is fast, extremely maneuverable, and ideal for low-altitude aerobatics, it is flown by the Aerobatic Teams of The Royal Air Force Red Arrows and by the Finnish Air Force. The Hawk is used by the RAF and other air forces as either a trainer or a low-cost combat aircraft. It is still in production today, with over 900 sold to 18 countries around the world.