Development of the Hawker Hunter began in 1946 under the steady hand of
chief designer Sydney Camm. With so many advances in aircraft design and
technology during the late 1940s, the process of turning Hawker's
initial studies into the Hunter day fighter took some time. However,
with the arrival of the new Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet, and despite
various teething troubles, the aircraft began to find its footing and
entered RAF service in 1954. Numerous versions were produced, which saw
the aircraft move away from its early fighter role and on to
ground-attack and reconnaissance. The Hunter was incapable of supersonic
flight on the level, but in a dive, it could pass through the 'sound
barrier' with ease. It was a maneuverable aircraft, could absorb rough
handling and, in general, was revered by the many pilots who flew it.
With over 110 images, this book presents a general history of the type
and covers its design and development, test flying, different production
versions and a review of an extensive and successful service and combat
career, both at home and with overseas air arms (the latter providing
large-scale exports for British industry). With a good number of Hunters
still flying in private hands today, and numerous airframes held by
museums in Britain and around the world, this book serves as a valuable
reference for this outstanding fighter aircraft. This is a new edition
of Combat Machines No 4 Hawker Hunter.
