NEW "FLIGHT" COLLECTION FROM CORGI - Corgi Flight is a series of accurately detailed die-cast model aircraft, ideal for anyone with an interest in aviation. The models carry authentic liveries depicting some of the world’s most famous aircraft that can still be seen today at air shows and museums across the world. Each aircraft comes with a display stand.

Historical Note:         The BAE Systems Hawk is a British single-engine, advanced jet trainer aircraft. It first flew in 1974 as the Hawker Siddeley Hawk. The Hawk is used by the Royal Air Force, and other air forces, as either a trainer or a low-cost combat aircraft. The Hawk is still in production with over 900 Hawks sold to 18 customers around the world.

Media:      BAe Hawk T.1A Red Arrows XX237,      Red Arrows depart Bournemouth (Hurn) Airport for Queens Jubilee Flypast 19/05/12

Info:    BAE Hawk - Red Arrow 

More Historical Info:        The Hawk entered RAF service in April 1976, replacing the Folland Gnat and Hawker Hunter for advanced training and weapons training. The Hawk T1 ("Trainer Mark 1") was the original version used by the RAF, deliveries commencing in November 1976, with 176 being ordered.

From 1983 to 1986, some Hawks were equipped as short-range interceptor aircraft. 88 T1s were modified to carry two AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles (AAMs) in addition to the centreline gun pod carrying a 30 mm ADEN cannon. These aircraft were named Hawk T1A. In a war, they would have worked in collaboration with Tornado F3 aircraft, which would use their Foxhunter search radars to vector the radarless Hawks against enemy targets. Such missions would have been flown by instructors. Conversions were completed in 1986. With the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, RAF Hawks were no longer used in this manner. Hawks were used also as "aggressors", simulating air combat with Tornado ADVs.

The most famous RAF operator of the Hawk is the Red Arrows aerobatic team, which adopted the plane in 1979.

The Hawk subsequently replaced the English Electric Canberra for target towing.

The Royal Navy acquired a dozen Hawk T1/1As from the RAF, for use as aerial targets for the training of ships' gunners and radar operators.

Eighty Hawk T1/1A aircraft have been upgraded under the Fuselage Replacement Programme (FRP), which involves the replacement of the aft, centre and rear fuselage sections, using new sections derived from the Mk. 60.

In 2009, the RAF began receiving the first Hawk T2 aircraft, which will replace the T1.

As a precautionary measure the T1 fleet was grounded in August 2011, following a crash which killed a Red Arrows pilot, but was returned to flight status a few days later.