The Hawk Aircraft

The dual control BAE Systems Hawk T1 is the RAF’s advanced trainer, and has been used by the Red Arrows since 1979, replacing the Folland Gnat. The Hawk’s Rolls Royce Adour engine produces 5,200lbs of thrust and can power the aircraft to a top speed of Mach 1.2. The aircraft has a maximum altitude of 48,000 ft and fuel capacity gives a range of 1,000 nm, making most of the world accessible apart from New Zealand. The aircraft are essentially the same as those flown by Advanced Flying Training students at RAF Valley, with the exception of smoke generation modifications and a slightly uprated engine giving a faster response time. The smoke generation system pumps diesel mixed with appropriately coloured dye into the jet exhaust to produce the colourful vapour trails that enhance both visual effect and flight safety. This allows 5 minutes of white smoke, 1 minute of red and 1 of blue.

The Red Arrows' Aircraft

The Red Arrows operate 13 Hawk aircraft.

• XX179 - Joined the Team in April 2002
• XX227 - Founder aircraft (with the Team since 1980)
• XX233 - Joined the Team in 1988 from 4FTS
• XX237 - First used by Reds in 1985
• XX242 - Joined the Team in 2003 from RAF Valley
• XX253 - Founder aircraft
• XX260 - Founder aircraft
• XX264 - Founder aircraft
• XX266 - Founder aircraft
• XX292 - Joined the Team in 1996 from 4FTS
• XX294 - Joined the Team in 1988 from 4FTS
• XX306 - Founder aircraft
• XX308 - Joined the Team in 1985