History

In 1944, the Hawker design team was considering how to apply the new Rolls Royce jet engine B.41 in the Hawker Fury design. In November 1944, P.1035 design was presented, in which the motor was positioned in the middle of the fuselage and the cockpit was positioned at the front of the fuselage.
After receiving permission from the Air Ministry the P.1035 was further developed, the elliptical wing was abandoned and the air intakes and the outlets were installed in the wing root, resulting in the P.1040.
It was now possible to apply the fuel tanks in front of and behind the engine in the hull, to improve the stability and the flight range.
The RAF showed little interest, because they already had two jets in use, the Gloster Meteor and the De Havilland Vampire. The P.1040 offered few advantages over these two types.
Hawker offered the type then to the Royal Navy as Hawker P.1046.
The P.1040 made its first flight on September 2, 1947.
There were a number of problems, for which the outlets had to be modified and a fairing on the tail was added.
On August 13, 1949, the second prototype VP 413 a fully equipped naval version, made its first flight. It had folding wings, a provision for catapult and armament.
In the course of 1949 flew a third prototype that had further improvements.
In mid-November 1951 flew the first production version, the Sea Hawk F.1 WF143. Compared to the contemporary Sabre the Sea Hawk was a rather conventional design with straight wings.
Later designs Hawker P.1052 and P.1081 both with arrow wings were designed and tested. These developments led to the Hawker Hunter.

Versions.

P.1040: Prototypes:
  • VP401 First prototype, later modified to P.1072
  • VP413 Second prototype navalized according specification N.7/46; first flight September 3, 1948;
  • VP422 Second navalized prototype first flight October 17, 1949
Sea Hawk F1:
first production version with Rolls-Royce Nene Mk 101; 95 examples built.
Sea Hawk F2:
40 examples of Armstrong Whitworth built version with empowered ailerons.
Sea Hawk FB 3:
fighterbomber with strengthened wings; 116 examples built.
Sea Hawk FGA 4:
Fighter ground acttack version; 97 examples built.
Sea Hawk FB 5:
Version of FB.3 with more powerful Rolls Royce Nene Mk.103; 50 examples modified
Sea Hawk FGA 6:
FGA.4 with more powerful Rolls Royce Nene Mk.103; 86 examples built plus 15 examples modifed FB3 and FGA4.
  • Sea Hawk Mk 50: Export version of FGA.6 for Dutch Navy; 22 examples built.
  • Sea Hawk Mk 100: Export version of FGA.6 for German Navy with enlargied fin and rudders; 32 examples built.
  • Sea Hawk Mk 101: All-weather export version for German Navy as Mk.100, but with search radar in a underwing pod; 32 examples built.

 

Technical information
Dimensions:
Length: 12,14 m Wingspan: 1189 m
Height: 2,67 m Wing area: 25 m2
Weights:
Empty weight: 4372 kg Max. start weight: 5980 kg
Performances:
Max. speed: 843 km/hr Climbing speed: - m/min
Cruising speed: - km/hr    
Range: 535 km Service ceiling:  
Miscellaneous:
Engine type: One Rolls Royce Nene 103 rated 2355 kg
Crew: One aviator
Armament: Four 20 mm Hispano Suiza canons