New Hawk jet paint scheme

The Royal Navy’s black hawk jets will be showing off their new colours at today’s Culdrose Air Day.

Visitors to the event will see the first two Hawk T Mk1 twin seat fast jet aircraft from 736 Naval Air Squadron decorated with a new paint scheme.

The squadron was re-commissioned last year and eventually the whole team of 15 Hawks will be painted in the same squadron colours and markings.  

Lt Russ Evans, Deputy Senior Aircraft Engineer for the Fixed Wing Force explains the new paint scheme: “It is a very subtle black and white paint scheme incorporating new tail fin livery which features the historic 736 Naval Air Squadron “Lightning Bolt".

"Additional features include call sign nose numbering reminiscent of the historic Fleet Air Arm Hunter and Canberra Force. The new squadron tail livery also incorporates the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose designator lettering “CU” for recognition purposes along with a “Royal Navy” flash included in the scheme adjacent to the airframe serial number.”

Lt Cdr Tim Flatman, Commanding Officer of 736 Naval Air Squadron said: “The new paint scheme is vastly important for the squadron. Eventually everything will look the same.  

"To have your whole fleet of aircraft decorated in the same paint scheme is very important to morale and operational capability.  It is the beginning of a new era in fixed wing naval aviation.” 

736 Naval Air Squadron is the Royal Navy’s Maritime Aggressor Squadron. The unit provides simulated ship attack and airborne intercept training for Royal Navy ships getting ready to deploy on operations. 

These missions simulate enemy fighter aircraft attacking the ships, or high-speed sea-skimming missiles which are fired against ships to allow the crew to train in the procedures to avoid and reduce the damage caused.  

The pilots also fly missions for the students of the Royal Navy School of Fighter Control.  Fighter Controllers are responsible for controlling and guiding the friendly fighter assets assigned to a group of ships.

In a similar role, the aircraft are also tasked to support the training of Royal Navy Observers in the Airborne Early Warning role for 849, 854, and 857 Naval Air Squadrons.  

These missions may involve airborne fighter control, as well as the identification of ground targets. 

Visitors to the Culdrose Air Day on Thursday will be able to see the Royal Navy’s fast jets both flying through the air and up close on the ground in the static display area.

The public can still purchase advance tickets (visit the Culdrose Airday webpage for details) or pay at the gate on Air Day (Adult: £17, Child: £6, Family: £40).  Please note that ‘Disability Dogs’ only are allowed because dogs are usually scared of aircraft and loud bangs.

For further information, including updates on the list of participating aircraft, pleasevisit the Culdrose Airday webpage.