New QEAF Hawks

[reach1]

Information that lve received today is that the QEAf sqn that will be based at leeming will be 11sqn replacing there Aj sqn No RAF Numberplate.

[Alf]

Information that lve received today is that the QEAf sqn that will be based at leeming will be 11sqn replacing there Aj sqn No RAF Numberplate.

Thought 11sq is a current Coningsby Typhoon sq?

[Nighthawke]

It is but the post does not refer to an RAF squadron. It is QEAF 11 Sqn as per the post which also says "No RAF Numberplate".

[Alf]

It is but the post does not refer to an RAF squadron. It is QEAF 11 Sqn as per the post which also says "No RAF Numberplate".

OK thanks, missed that bit!!

[Mike]

The lack of punctuation makes the post very difficult to read, I also think 'there' should be 'their' but I could be wrong!
What's an Aj squadron, anyone know?

[bizfreeq]

Alpha Jet?

[EGNV]

Advanced Jet?

[Nighthawke]

Yes it is Advanced Jet.

[reach1]

11 sqn Are alpha jets at present that will change at leeming nothing to do with the Raf 11 Sqn .

[Nighthawke]

Sorry - my mistake. They will be Advance Jet Trainers.

[Graham]

Come on guys,let's have some proper information on here.The new unit will be based around 9 new build Hawk Mk 167's ZB131-139. I have no idea of the Squadron number yet although a Qatar Sqn number might be correct, also not sure if Qatar serials will be worn but they are not Alpha Jets and the UK serials are as above.Look forward to seeing them later this year.

[Nighthawke]

Again misreading. No-one has said the new aircraft are Alpha Jets. 11 Sqn QEAF currently fly Alpha Jets. They will then be the new Hawk squadron, assuming the OP's info is correct.

[Doughnut]

I would expect British military serials will be worn as they will be resident for quite some time and the aircraft will have to deal with all the usual UK regulations and flight planning rules. All of which will be made easier by having "UK ownership"
Great shame they will use stupid out of sequence manufactures serials. Can anybody explain why these odd serials are used ?

[POL]

ZB1xx is surely an "in sequence" serial range!

[Andy Marden]

Once they are handed over to Qatar, I would expect the use of British serials to cease, and for them to use Qatari serials.
Time will tell.

[bizfreeq]

ZB1xx is surely an "in sequence" serial range!

That's exactly what I thought! The serials are following directly in line with other BAe Hawks

[Mike]

I'd put money on them keeping their UK serials until they are on Qatar soil (or tarmac)!

[Alf]

I'd put money on them keeping their UK serials until they are on Qatar soil (or tarmac)!

Are they ever going to Qatar? Thought the Leeming operation was for the long term like the Singapore unit at Cazaux in France.

[Doughnut]

ZB1xx is surely an "in sequence" serial range!

That's exactly what I thought! The serials are following directly in line with other BAe Hawks

Ok the point I was making is why BAe were allocated the starting point of ZBxxx in the first place for new 100 series Hawk production contract for the Saudi aircraft in 2010 (?)
Previous to that aircraft built for overseas sale did not all have UK military serials allocated. Only those used on extended UK based flight trials had them, and they were simply fitted into the usual RAF procurement blocks.
No worries

[Mark]

The only times I saw Saudi or Omani Aircraft at Warton without a UK serial was a delivery flight..