FighterControl

Hello,

Whilst undergoing some Hawk research over on the BMAL database, a few Hawk airframes stored in Hangar 18 have a "rts" status listed against them.
Do any Shawbury regulars know if these airframes; XX161, XX191 and XX311 to name three, are being returned to Service or being returned to Spares?

Any help you can give would be appreciated

Many thanks!

Reduce to spares I'd imagine?

ChrisGlobe wrote:Reduce to spares I'd imagine?

That's what I thought, though I had heard the Reds are getting a fleet change, and XX319 and XX322 have both come out of Shawbury bound for Scampton in recent months.
One Hawk that may never fly again is T.1 XX169, which needs a major and is very high-houred (and is a T.1!).
I would of thought that airframe may have been a case for spares recovery but is not listed as such!

centaurus18 wrote:Hello,

Whilst undergoing some Hawk research over on the BMAL database, a few Hawk airframes stored in Hangar 18 have a "rts" status listed against them.
Do any Shawbury regulars know if these airframes; XX161, XX191 and XX311 to name three, are being returned to Service or being returned to Spares?

Any help you can give would be appreciated

Many thanks!

Do you know if XX248 was among those marked RTS?

I had a soft spot for this aircraft - my stomach!

Told the Storage Flight chaps not to poke around under the rear seat too much in case there are still 'bits' down there!

Seriously though - would like to know what is planned for my one and only 'fast jet'!

Arthur

SCARECROW wrote:I'll ask storage this week.

Thanks - would appreciate any info!

The superb BMAL site (http://www.bmal.org.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) lists the following as "rts"...

T.1W XX161
T.1A XX190
T.1A XX191
T.1W XX195
T.1A XX219
T.1 XX232
T.1W XX239
T.1W XX295
T.1 XX309
T.1W XX310
T.1 XX311
T.1 XX325
T.1A XX350

Having now seen how many have this status attached, I think it may be the 'spares' option

edit - seems XX219 is being readied for the RAFAT judging by an image on abpic.co.uk, so there is some hope!
http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1329765/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Well it could also be Return to service, as the storge unit has been tasked to provide the Red Arrows with a total of around (14) new airframes, given that the original aircraft and some replacements are almost out of hours apparently.


TS

Return to service would make more sense to me.

Thanks for the replies guys!
One of the FRADU cabs is approaching the airframe hours limit for a major service, so perhaps one of those rts airframes (XX311 hint hint) is bound for Cornwall in due course?

I wouldn't know where BMAL got their info from - all are post mod.2010 (ie have gone through the Fuselage replacement program). It looks like this list contains some that are allocated as Reds replacement aircraft (hence will have Major servicing at Shawbury along with Smoke mods etc) but not sure about the future of the rest.

thinks again...just looked through the BMAL Hawk list and it does contain a few ....

XX311 is currently undergoing Major Service and will be delivered to Red Arrows later this year. XX219 should fly this week and will then go the 'Reds'.

There are a whole pile of Hawks at Shawbury due to be RTS. Reduced to spares, as & when this happens I will let the group know the serials

sorry for the angle, I did turn the picture before saving, but alas!!!

this is the smoke mod on XX219 at Shawbury!



Ray

Looks like this piece of kit was taken from a previous RA Hawk.
TM74

tm74sqn wrote:Looks like this piece of kit was taken from a previous RA Hawk.
TM74

Indeed. There were a few "never to fly again" former Reds in the same hangar, presume they are just swapping the kit onto lower houred frames whilst doing a major service!

Ray

4 former Reds in Shawbury!

XX237

XX260

XX292

XX294


Ray