Hawker Hunter F. Mk1 to Mk 6  The first prototype of the hawker Hunter F.1 (WT555)  first flown by Frank Murphy was on the 16th may 1953. production of the first 133 were built at the hawker Factory in Kingston. A second production line at the Blackpool factory first flew on 22 May 1954 a total of 26 F1 being built.  After a few delays the first aircraft entered service in July 1954 with 43 Squadron based at Leuchers. Only three other squadrons were given F1 Hunters, the were Nos. 54, 222 and 247 squadrons. Only 45 Hunter F2 were built  with the first flown ion 14th October 1953, Only 257 and 263 Squadrons were given the F2. Both of these versions were designed as short range aircraft.  The F4  (WT701) first flew on 20th October 1954. This versions range had improved due the addition of fuel tanks in the wings. and two drop tanks.  A total of 188 were built at the Kingston factory and another 177 built at the Blackpool site. The F4 engines (Avon 113's) shown to be troublesome were replaced with he new Avon 115's. 111 Squadron was the first squadron to be equipped with F4's at North weald in June 1955. Followed by Squadrons 98, 118  based in Germany and replacing the aging Venoms.  By 1956  a total of 22 squadrons were equipped with the Mk 4, with 13 squadrons based in Germany, the Hunter F4 became the main ground attack and fighter aircraft of the Royal Air Force.

The Hunter F5 produced by Armstrong Whitworth first flew ion 19th October 1954 and entered service with 263 squadron in April 1955. A total of 105 aircraft most operated from Cyprus during the Suez Campaign of 1956. with 1 and 34 squadrons. the Hunter F6 entering service with the Royal Air Force in October 1957, This version was the largest production of all the marks, with a total of 379 built for the \RAF. and another 36 exported  to Switzerland and Indian air forces. The F6 was used for the aerobatic teams with 111 squadrons Black Arrows  and 92 squadrons Blue Diamonds.  The F6 was modified for use mainly in Middle east and tropical climates. This new version was designated the Mk 9 These replaced the aging Venoms as ground attack aircraft.  The Final MK10 was also base don the Mk 6.

The Total Production on all variants of the Hawker  Hunter totaled 1,028 aircraft HUNTER MK 6 Specifications.    Hawker Designation number P1099. Built at hawker Aircraft Ltd, Kingston Upon Thames and Blackpool factories and also sub contracted to Sir W G Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft factory at Baginton, Coventry.  Engine: Avon 203 Rolls Royce Engine.   Max Speed: 715 mph at sea Level and Mach.95 at 36,000 feet.  Range: 1840 miles at 515 mph (with drop tanks).  ceiling 51,500 feet.   Armament: four 30mm Aden Guns in a detachable nose pack. Two 1,000 bombs under wings (or drop fuel tanks) or 16 under wing rockets under outer wings. 

PILOTS WHO FLEW HAWKER HUNTERS Squadron Leader Neville Duke, DSO, OBE, DFC*, AFC, CzMC Neville Duke flew Spitfires as wingman to Sailor Malan in 92 Squadron. In November 1941 he was posted to 112 Squadron in the Middle East. After a second tour in the Desert, he flew a third tour, with 145 Squadron in Italy. He was the top scoring Allied Ace in the Mediterranean with 28 victories. After the war, in 1953, he captured the World Air Speed record. He died 7th April 2007.

Grace & Pace by Robert Tomlin  Probably the most graceful jet aircraft ever, yet in its time deadly and effective, a Hawker Hunter of the Old Flying Machine Company who are based at Duxford in England, gets airborne for another majestic display in the hands of the late Mark Hanna.

Hunters Over The Lakes by Stephen Brown   RAF Hawker Hunter F.6s of 66 Squadron on a training sortie over the English Lake District in 1959.

Auf Wiedersehen by Philip West  After thirty years of thrilling displays around Europe, the Hawker Hunters of the Patrouille Suisse performed their last public display at Nancy in France on 25th September 1944. Considered by many to be the most beautiful jet fighter ever to grace the skies the Swiss machines, with their striking paint scheme, enabled the Patrouille Suisse to bring an exceptional element of grace and elegance to the dynamic type of aerobatic display performed by most jet aerobatic display teams.   Even more remarkable in their performance is the fact that the team members were all regular pilots with the Surveillance Wing of the Swiss Air Force and as such were able to practice just once per month when normal duties allowed.  Their appearances were comparatively rare as they performed only about 6-10 public displays per year but their professionalism was legendary amongst aerobatic teams, one of the most memorable moments being at Fairford, England in 1993 when they flew an outstanding display immediately after the mid-air collision by Russian MiGs.  Individually autographed by the six team members who flew the final display, and is dedicated to the Patrouille Suisse and their Hunters - truly a piece of aviation history.