The Incredible sound of the Hawker Hunter.

[Magna-Carta]

I’ve always liked the sound of this plane. I seem to remember watching old movies with jets flying, only to later realised the planes in the movies wasn’t the sound of the one flying on screen or on TV. But had the sound of the Hawker Hunter dubbed over it. I’m sure I’ve heard this sound on some Jerry Andersons kids TV shows too. Captain Scarlet perhaps?

The Hawker Hunter, from the early 1950’s. Britain’s answer to the North American Sabre, eventually? Maybe the F-18 Hornet sounds a bit like this, on occasion?

The only plane that actually sounds like this? And one of Britain’s most successful exports? Sounds great at airshows I’ve attended.

 

[Been There]

The noise is dependent on the engines being used and the speed of the plane.

 

[Magna-Carta]

The noise is dependent on the engines being used and the speed of the plane.

In part to do with the speed of the plane. But I was lead to believe on this aircraft that Blue-Note sound is created by air rushing over the gun ports on the front underside of the aircraft.

 

[Laurie]

Q I worked on Hunters in the Middle East including the Gulf, Africa and of course the UK between 1958 in 1976 so I've heard a few startup on shutdown and everything in between. They certainly had a distinctive sound but they were by no means unique. The Supermarine Swift used the same Avon engine on these of the same vintage though was very soon branded obsolescent the Rolls Royce Avon engine was widely used and still is

I heard the first one that arrived in Aden in 1959 go through the barrier which was quite impressive. It was quickly prohibited except in operational circumstances

It was one of the last aircraft to be designed around a weapon, the 30MM Aiden cannon, rather than have a weapon designed for a plane already certified aeroplane.

As a weapons technician I can honestly say it was not my favourite aeroplane to work on, in fact your Sabre was was better because all the weapons were high level you didn't have to break your back struggling with ammunition and drive belts.

Like the Spitfire I never met a pilot who didn't love it

 

[Magna-Carta]

Q I worked on Hunters in the Middle East including the Gulf, Africa and of course the UK between 1958 in 1976 so I've heard a few startup on shutdown and everything in between. They certainly had a distinctive sound but they were by no means unique. The Supermarine Swift used the same Avon engine on these of the same vintage though was very soon branded obsolescent the Rolls Royce Avon engine was widely used and still is

I heard the first one that arrived in Aden in 1959 go through the barrier which was quite impressive. It was quickly prohibited except in operational circumstances

It was one of the last aircraft to be designed around a weapon, the 30MM Aiden cannon, rather than have a weapon designed for a plane already certified aeroplane.

As a weapons technician I can honestly say it was not my favourite aeroplane to work on, in fact your Sabre was was better because all the weapons were high level you didn't have to break your back struggling with ammunition and drive belts.

Like the Spitfire I never met a pilot who didn't love it

Did the Hunter have different types of ammunition packs, depending on whether in had one, two, or four cannons? Some easier to remove than others?

Did you ever have any involvement with the English Electric Lighting?

 

[Laurie]

The twin seat trainer the T7 only had a single gun but the fighter marks at least the only ones I ever saw the F6 and the FGA 9 both had the full gun pack, role changes were effected by changing the ammunition the main ones being used ball, HE and incendiary

The ground attack version can also carry bombs under wing and rocket pods but I never had to do anything with those.

I never had anything to do with the Lightning except watching in awe as it did its thing on display days.

I understand that in the Lightning if the fire warning light came on you had three seconds to eject.

 

[Born_To_Lose]

I was in the Air Force and heard a lot of planes. This one in the video does have a unique sound. I was a mechanic and learned jet engine repair while in the service. My first job out of the Air Force was with a small company that repaired jet engines at the nearby airport. I went to college at night and worked during the day, so my social, life was very limited, but I did have dates, just none that turned serious.

 

[Magna-Carta]

I never had anything to do with the Lightning except watching in awe as it did its thing on display days.

I understand that in the Lightning if the fire warning light came on you had three seconds to eject.

I’ve always been fascinated with the Lightening, especially considering it originated from the 1950’s.

Allegedly, later, the only interceptor in the NATO arsenal at the time capable of intercepting Concorde and the U2 spy plane at 60,000ft, then passing them.

In this 6 minute video it says this particular Lightening has 36,000 lbs. of thrust, which I though a bit optimistic, until I read somewhere that some variants had 41,000 lbs.?