AIRCRAFT

F-58 Hawker Hunter

Acknowledged as the classic single seat fighter of the fifties, the aesthetically unsurpassed Hunter was the first genuinely transonic British service aircraft. After the first flight in July 1951, the aircraft had a somewhat lengthy development period with problems such as pitch-up at transonic speeds and engine surging during gun firing. The F Mk 1 entered service three years later. Some handling problems persisted, but were generally eradicated in the F Mk 4 that went into service in 1955. The aircraft also got an increased internal fuel capacity and provisions for external drop tanks, helping to solve a severe endurance problem. From then on it started gathering a reputation as a pilot's airplane with delightful handling, few limitations and high performance, tendering it an exhilarating aircraft to fly. Despite its fine contours, the Hunter was extraordinarily robust. It remained in RAF front-line service for two decades, the latter part of its career being ground attack and tactical reconnaissance. A large number of foreign air forces ordered the Hunter, and it was license built in Belgium, the Netherlands and in Switzerland where it saw service until the end of 1994. A total of 1972 Hunters were built.

The Scandinavian Historic Flight Hunter, SE-DXA, is an F Mk 58 from the Swiss Air Force. The Swiss aircraft were equipped with a brake chute to help stop the aircraft on wet and icy runways and strengthened under-wing pylons to carry 400 kg bombs. When SHF got the Hunter in 1995, it was in pristine condition as one would expect from a Swiss military aircraft. It went through a program to equip it with modern civilian avionics and after a considerable amount of paperwork was granted civilian registration in Sweden. It was repainted in the colours of the Swedish Air Force. The Hunter is based in Halmstad, Sweden, together with the SHF Vampire. It is being maintained and flown by SHF members. The Hunter is popular at airshows with its classic lines and spirited performance.