[BITList] Hurricane's Great Grandson

[Derek Hargreaves]

Hugh / John

The Financial columns yesterday contained news that India was to almost double its Air Force fleet of Hawks by building, under license, another 54 aircraft.

Amidst the aura of gloom and despondency in UK engineering circles, it must be of some comfort to recall that this aircraft, the last type to emerge from the Hawker Hurricane stable in 1974,  was of exclusive UK design, development and manufacture except for the Adour engine which was a joint affair between RR and Turbomeca (Bayonne/France) with RR leading. Like the Canberra in the 50's it  has sold world wide, including the hardest military market of all, the USA. 

Although the 'under licence' tag will reduce the funds flowing into BAe Systems to "some hundreds of millions of pounds", the Hawk  has effectively killed off its international competition and, in spite of dithering politicians, do gooders, pacifists, slush fund accusers and other denigrators, it  is still bringing in new boodle 35 years after its first flight. 

Like others of our military products, It has significantly moderated the government costs in satisfying an RAF Operational Requirement and the industry, with or without C,Engs., can be proud of their heritage. Would that other branches of the engineering disciplne had not collapsed in front of competitors and home bred denigrators!

John - I spoke to my wife earlier today after her arrival in Cairns,. She was optimistic that all her local trips were 'on' but shocked at her first experience of high humidity!

Regards

Derek H
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