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Hunter FGA.9

2021-05-27T05:00:51Z

U84825696:

{{About
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Hunter (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=hunter_f9_rhodesia
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|store=7212
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.93 "Shark Attack"]]. It is available for purchase on the Gaijin Store and console stores (Microsoft store, Playstation Store). The FGA.9 is a fighter aircraft which was used primarily by the Rhodesian Air Force, for ground attack purposes and can carry a large payload for close air support. It also excels in air to air combat thanks to two [[AIM-9E Sidewinder|AIM-9E]] sidewinder missiles, and its high speed and energy retention for the battle rating.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

Although without an afterburner, this aircraft will out-accelerate almost all aircraft at its battle rating. The [[MiG-15bis (Germany)|▀MiG-15]] bis and [[MiG-17AS]] will out-accelerate you on the runway, but from about 400-1,000 km/h you can pretty much outrun everything, even [[Shenyang F-5]]s, [[F-86K (France)|F86K]]s and [[F-100D|F100]]s all with afterburners. The aircraft has one of the best acceleration rates for a non-afterburning jet in the game, beaten by the Etendard IVM and then the Yak-38/38M. It also has extremely good top end speed for its battle rating. Be warned the aircraft is a '''brick''' (especially at lower speeds) so most aircraft will out-turn you. Turning is advised only against larger aircraft like [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|F-4 Phantoms]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,138 || 1,133 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.5 || 26.3 || 53.6 || 46.6 || rowspan="2" | 820
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,158 || 1,148 || 24.6 || 25.0 || 88.8 || 70.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 603 || 581 || 465 || ~14 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 850 || < 600 || < 690 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="3" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="1" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.207 || 1
| colspan="1" | 6,110 kg || colspan="2" | 237 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="2" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel
|-
| 1,175 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 6,510 kg || 7,487 kg || 10,900 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="3" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 4,272 kgf || N/A
| 0.67 || 0.57 || 0.39
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 4,991 kgf (1,100 km/h) || N/A
| 0.77 || 0.66 || 0.46
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


The FGA.9 is quite survivable with a robust airframe due to it being primarily intended for ground attacking or close air support. It may take a few hits from enemy cannon fire and still survive, and also stay flying with critical components (wing, engine, etc.) damaged long enough to return to base. However, don't expect the FGA.9 to soak up 30 mm DEFA or other ADEN armed aircraft. Head-on attacks are recommended, albeit from further away than other aircraft (about 2.5/2km away and pull off) due to closure rates and the aircraft being a brick so you have to pull off earlier than normal. '''''Do not commit fully to a head on attack''''', as your ADEN cannon muzzle velocity is slower than most other guns. Do not head-on aircraft .50cal, like F-86s as they will ruin you before your shots even get anywhere near their aircraft. The placement of the cannons also makes head-on attacks tricky.

The only armour on the aircraft are a 64 mm bullet proof glass in front of the pilot, with a 12.7 mm steel plate behind the pilot.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|ADEN (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 4 x 30 mm ADEN cannons, nose-mounted (150 rpg = 600 total)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|H.E. M.C. Mk.II (500 lb)|M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb)|AIM-9E Sidewinder|SNEB type 23}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* Without load
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 4 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 36 x SNEB type 23 rockets + 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 36 x SNEB type 23 rockets + 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles

== Usage in battles ==


Side rush and burst climb, then enter the main cluster of aircraft in the middle (ideally with a height advantage). Your AIM 9E's (if you choose to bring them into battle) will quickly dispatch any enemies at a low energy state (hopefully distracted by fighting someone else). Use your superior speed in the cluster and launch your ordnance then zoom back up (the [[Boom & Zoom]] strategy). When you have expended your missiles, use your 30 mm ADENs as they are VERY destructive and typically only one shell is enough to critically damage or destroy any aircraft they come in contact with.

If up-tiered into fighting top-rank fighter jets, planes such as the [[MiG-21SMT]]<nowiki/>s / [[MiG-21MF (Germany)|MF]]<nowiki/>s , [[F-4E Phantom II|F-4E]]/[[F-4EJ Phantom II|EJ]]/[[Phantom FGR.2|FGR]] Phantoms will ruin the {{PAGENAME}} due to good turn rate (in the MiG's case) and very high speeds - they are problematic as the {{PAGENAME}} has a non-afterburning engine, so they will out-accelerate you easily, while the [[R-60M]]/[[AIM-9J Sidewinder|AIM-9J]]/[[AIM-7D Sparrow|AIM-7]]/[[Matra R550 Magic 1|R550 Magic]] missiles will easily out-pull the Hunter every time if they acquire a strong lock and send you back to the hangar. The only way to get a shot against the higher BR jets is to dive on them while they are distracted or fighting someone else and launch a missile at them.

===Radars===

The Hunter FGA.9 is equipped with an AN/APG-30 rangefinding radar, located in the nose of the aircraft.
It will automatically detect other planes within the scanning area and display the range to the closest target. It is linked with a gyro gunsight and can help with aiming at close range.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | AN/APG-30 - Rangefinding radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Tracking Range|The maximum range at which a target can be tracked}}
! {{Annotation|Minimum Tracking Range|The range below which targets cannot be tracked by the radar}}
! {{Annotation|Azimuth Tracking Angle|How far to each side the radar can track a target}}
! {{Annotation|Elevation Tracking Angle|How far up and down the radar can track a target}}
|-
| 2,750 m || 300 m || ±9° || ±9°
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent speed advantage when in rank V matches
* Tends to get down-tiered due to match-making placement
* AIM-9Es are very good with a longer burning motor (longer range and better energy retention, 10G manoeuvrability and up to (around) 4 km range from the rear
* 30 mm ADEN cannons are devastating to aircraft and ground targets with a good ammo pool and high fire rate
* Good SL and RP modifier, allowing you to grind out the British tech tree, while earning good SL.
* Low repair cost due to it's premium status (5,270 SL)

'''Cons:'''

* High speed manoeuvrability is bad due to locking up from about 1000 km/h onwards
* Low level pilot can pass out instantly from pulling 3G's from about 700 km/h, requires upgrades in G-Tolerance and Stamina to perform well
* If you spray with your cannons, 600 rounds will disappear quite quickly, so fire in controlled bursts.
* Will find itself extremely out-classed in up-tiers to fighting top-rank aircraft

== History ==


Towards the end of the 1950s, the Royal Air Force was faced with the increasing obsolescence of the [[Venom_FB.4|De Havilland Venom FB.4]] in the ground attack role. At the time, the Venom was still in use as a Close Air Support aircraft both in South East Asia and the Middle East; especially in the Aden Emergency it was intensely used, and as a result, a replacement was urgently required. In 1958 the Royal Air Force started the Venom Replacement Evaluation Trials (VRET), selecting the Royal Air Force bases of RAF Khormaksar (Aden) with its long paved runway, and RAF Riyan (Quaiti State, Eastern Aden Protectorate) with its unhardened airstrip as trials bases.

For the VRET, three types were selected: the Hunting Jet Provost T.3; the Folland Gnat F.1; and last but not least, the [[Hunter_F.6|Hawker Hunter F.6]]. Before the trials began, the Folland Gnat was considered the forerunner, while the Hawker Hunter was initially not even considered for the trials, as the type was thought to be uneconomical for use in the Middle East, however, this decision was overturned after intense lobbying by Hawker. Early on during the trials, it became clear that the Hunting Jet Provost was not able to fulfil any of the requirements set by the trials, and while the type would go on to be developed into the successful BAC Strikemaster, it was eliminated from the contest. The trials had become a straight contest between the Hunter and the Gnat.

Early on, the Folland appeared to be a clear favourite: above 40,000 ft it was more manoeuvrable than the Hunter, and its diminutive size made it a difficult target to spot and aim at. Additionally, it required only a minimum of external equipment to operate it from unprepared airstrips. However, the diminutive size of the Gnat also worked in its disadvantage: its relative short landing gear gave the aircraft unpleasant characteristics on unpaved airstrips, and its relatively low-set exhaust damaged the runway surface. However, the main problem for the Gnat was that it was unable to meet range requirements. Fully loaded for combat it had a range of 188 nm, which fell short of the 250 nm requirement set up in the VRET; with external tanks, its maximum ferry range was 673 nm, which was insufficient to ferry it between the Royal Air Force's main Middle East Air Force bases. At the end of the trials, the Hunter came out as the winner on all points except agility above 40,000 ft.

Following the trials, conversion work was started to bring the Hunter F.6 up to full ground attack standard, the FGA.9 (for Fighter Ground Attack). The wing spars were restressed and strengthened, a brake chute was added in a housing above the exhaust for use on unprepared airstrips, the flight controls were adjusted to give a better response at low altitude, and the oxygen supply was increased; as the FGA.9 was primarily intended for use in the Middle East, the aircraft were also given a tropicalised refrigeration and ventilation system. New drop tanks were designed for the inner wing hardpoints, capable of carrying 230 gallons (instead of the 100-gallon drop tanks in use up to then); as they were larger, a cut-out was made in the flaps so they could be extended while carrying the new tanks. Initially, these tanks were fixed and intended for ferry use only, but gradually they were redesigned so they could be jettisonable and used in combat. The first Hunter FGA.9 made its maiden flight on July 3rd 1959. The initial batch was built to 'interim' FGA.9 with an Avon 203 which provided 10,000 lb thrust; the production variant was equipped with an Avon 207 which provided 10,050 lb thrust.

Around the time the Hunter FGA.9 started entering RAF service in 1960, the Hunter F.6 was considered obsolete as a day fighter with the impending service entry of the English Electric Lightning. As a result, many Hunter F.6 airframes were taken back by Hunter for a rebuild to the FGA.9 standard. In all, 144 Hunter F.6s were rebuild to FGA.9 standard. A dedicated reconnaissance variant was also developed out of the FGA.9: the FR.10 had the same capabilities as the FGA.9, except for the adjusted flight controls, its main difference being a set of reconnaissance cameras in a new nose.

In Royal Air Force service, the Hunter FGA.9 was first deployed in Aden in 1960, where it replaced the obsolete Venom; it was used during the Radfan Emergency to attack insurgent forces. During the Borneo Confrontation of 1963-1966, RAF Hunter FGA.9s were used in counter-insurgency operations. The withdrawal from the Royal Air Force from its former protectorates in the late 1960s saw the need for these ground-attack Hunters disappear; the last frontline RAF Hunter FGA.9 unit was disbanded in 1971, however, the type remained in RAF service as an advanced trainer until the 1980s, with trainer variants remaining in RAF service until the early 1990s.

The Hunter FGA.9 variant also became the basis of numerous close air support variants intended for export. This was partly possible due to the disbanding of numerous RAF day fighter units following the 1957 Defence White Paper, and partly due to the early retirement of the Hawker Hunter F.6 in Belgian (1963) and Dutch (1968) service. This released several hundreds of Hunter F.6 airframes which could be rebuilt to FGA standard. Dedicated 'national' variants were built for India (FGA.56), Kuwait (FGA.57), Switzerland (F.58A), Iraq (FGA.59), Lebanon (FGA.70), Chile (FGA.71), Jordan (FGA.73), Singapore (FGA.75), Abu Dhabi (FGA.76), Qatar (FGA.78) and Kenya (FGA.80). Additionally, numerous ex-Royal Air Force FGA.9 airframes were refurbished by Hunter for export.

In foreign service, the Hawker Hunter had a considerably long life. It was relatively easy to maintain type, which could be deployed quickly if needed. In the absence of aerial threats, it was an excellent ground attack aircraft, making it suited for low-intensity conflict and counter-insurgency operations. Many aircraft were locally modified to carry a wide variety of ordonnance: some air forces such as those of Switzerland and Singapore modified theirs to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder; in their ultimate guise, Swiss Air Force Hunters were even capable of firing the AGM-65 Maverick. Most aircraft were withdrawn from frontline service in the 1990s, with Switzerland being the last Western nation to withdraw the type from frontline service in 1994. The Indian Air Force was the last major user of the type, withdrawing the last of its Hunters in 2000; the last nation to withdraw the Hunter from frontline military service was Lebanon, retiring the Hunter in 2014. Even so, a handful of Hunters remain in limited military service: as of 2019, ATAC in the United States, Apache Aviation in France, Hawker Hunter Aviation in the UK and Lortie Aviation in Canada operate a number of civilianised Hawker Hunters under government military contracts to provide high-speed aerial threat simulation, mission support training and trials support services.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* Hawker [[Sea_Hawk_FGA.6|Sea Hawk]]
* Hawker [[Hunter F 1]]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Dassault [[Super Mystere B2|Super Mystère]]
* Mikoyan [[MiG-17]]
* North American [[F-100D|F-100]] Super Sabre
* North American [[FJ-4B]] Fury

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Hawker}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}
{{Britain premium aircraft}}

Hunter FGA.9

2021-05-27T04:36:00Z

U84825696:

{{About
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Hunter (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=hunter_f9_rhodesia
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|store=7212
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.93 "Shark Attack"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

Although without an afterburner, this aircraft will out-accelerate almost all aircraft at its battle rating. The [[MiG-15bis (Germany)|▀MiG-15]] bis and [[MiG-17AS]] will out-accelerate you on the runway, but from about 400-1,000 km/h you can pretty much outrun everything, even [[Shenyang F-5]]s, [[F-86K (France)|F86K]]s and [[F-100D|F100]]s all with afterburners. The aircraft has one of the best acceleration rates for a non-afterburning jet in the game, beaten by the Etendard IVM and then the Yak-38/38M. It also has extremely good top end speed for its battle rating. Be warned the aircraft is a '''brick''' (especially at lower speeds) so most aircraft will out-turn you. Turning is advised only against larger aircraft like [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|F-4 Phantoms]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,138 || 1,133 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.5 || 26.3 || 53.6 || 46.6 || rowspan="2" | 820
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,158 || 1,148 || 24.6 || 25.0 || 88.8 || 70.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 603 || 581 || 465 || ~14 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 850 || < 600 || < 690 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="3" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="1" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.207 || 1
| colspan="1" | 6,110 kg || colspan="2" | 237 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="2" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel
|-
| 1,175 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 6,510 kg || 7,487 kg || 10,900 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="3" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 4,272 kgf || N/A
| 0.67 || 0.57 || 0.39
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 4,991 kgf (1,100 km/h) || N/A
| 0.77 || 0.66 || 0.46
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


The FGA.9 is quite survivable with a robust airframe due to it being primarily intended for ground attacking or close air support. It may take a few hits from enemy cannon fire and still survive, and also stay flying with critical components (wing, engine, etc.) damaged long enough to return to base. However, don't expect the FGA.9 to soak up 30 mm DEFA or other ADEN armed aircraft. Head-on attacks are recommended, albeit from further away than other aircraft (about 2.5/2km away and pull off) due to closure rates and the aircraft being a brick so you have to pull off earlier than normal. '''''Do not commit fully to a head on attack''''', as your ADEN cannon muzzle velocity is slower than most other guns. Do not head-on aircraft .50cal, like F-86s as they will ruin you before your shots even get anywhere near their aircraft. The placement of the cannons also makes head-on attacks tricky.

The only armour on the aircraft are a 64 mm bullet proof glass in front of the pilot, with a 12.7 mm steel plate behind the pilot.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

As this aircraft is a premium, all modifications are automatically purchased and researched for no extra cost.

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|ADEN (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 4 x 30 mm ADEN cannons, nose-mounted (150 rpg = 600 total)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|H.E. M.C. Mk.II (500 lb)|M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb)|AIM-9E Sidewinder|SNEB type 23}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* Without load
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 4 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 36 x SNEB type 23 rockets + 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 36 x SNEB type 23 rockets + 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles

== Usage in battles ==


Side rush and burst climb, then enter the main cluster of aircraft in the middle (ideally with a height advantage). Your AIM 9E's (if you choose to bring them into battle) will quickly dispatch any enemies at a low energy state (hopefully distracted by fighting someone else). Use your superior speed in the cluster and launch your ordnance then zoom back up (the [[Boom & Zoom]] strategy). When you have expended your missiles, use your 30 mm ADENs as they are VERY destructive and typically only one shell is enough to critically damage or destroy any aircraft they come in contact with.

If up-tiered into fighting top-rank fighter jets, planes such as the [[MiG-21SMT]]<nowiki/>s / [[MiG-21MF (Germany)|MF]]<nowiki/>s , [[F-4E Phantom II|F-4E]]/[[F-4EJ Phantom II|EJ]]/[[Phantom FGR.2|FGR]] Phantoms will ruin the {{PAGENAME}} due to good turn rate (in the MiG's case) and very high speeds - they are problematic as the {{PAGENAME}} has a non-afterburning engine, so they will out-accelerate you easily, while the [[R-60M]]/[[AIM-9J Sidewinder|AIM-9J]]/[[AIM-7D Sparrow|AIM-7]]/[[Matra R550 Magic 1|R550 Magic]] missiles will easily out-pull the Hunter every time if they acquire a strong lock and send you back to the hangar. The only way to get a shot against the higher BR jets is to dive on them while they are distracted or fighting someone else and launch a missile at them.

===Radars===

The Hunter FGA.9 is equipped with an AN/APG-30 rangefinding radar, located in the nose of the aircraft.
It will automatically detect other planes within the scanning area and display the range to the closest target. It is linked with a gyro gunsight and can help with aiming at close range.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | AN/APG-30 - Rangefinding radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Tracking Range|The maximum range at which a target can be tracked}}
! {{Annotation|Minimum Tracking Range|The range below which targets cannot be tracked by the radar}}
! {{Annotation|Azimuth Tracking Angle|How far to each side the radar can track a target}}
! {{Annotation|Elevation Tracking Angle|How far up and down the radar can track a target}}
|-
| 2,750 m || 300 m || ±9° || ±9°
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent speed advantage when in rank V matches
* Tends to get down-tiered due to match-making placement
* AIM-9Es are very good with a longer burning motor (longer range and better energy retention, 10G manoeuvrability and up to (around) 4 km range from the rear
* 30 mm ADEN cannons are devastating to aircraft and ground targets with a good ammo pool and high fire rate
* Good SL and RP modifier, allowing you to grind out the British tech tree, while earning good SL.
* Low repair cost due to it's premium status (5,270 SL)

'''Cons:'''

* High speed manoeuvrability is bad due to locking up from about 1000 km/h onwards
* Low level pilot can pass out instantly from pulling 3G's from about 700 km/h, requires upgrades in G-Tolerance and Stamina to perform well
* If you spray with your cannons, 600 rounds will disappear quite quickly, so fire in controlled bursts.
* Will find itself extremely out-classed in up-tiers to fighting top-rank aircraft

== History ==


Towards the end of the 1950s, the Royal Air Force was faced with the increasing obsolescence of the [[Venom_FB.4|De Havilland Venom FB.4]] in the ground attack role. At the time, the Venom was still in use as a Close Air Support aircraft both in South East Asia and the Middle East; especially in the Aden Emergency it was intensely used, and as a result, a replacement was urgently required. In 1958 the Royal Air Force started the Venom Replacement Evaluation Trials (VRET), selecting the Royal Air Force bases of RAF Khormaksar (Aden) with its long paved runway, and RAF Riyan (Quaiti State, Eastern Aden Protectorate) with its unhardened airstrip as trials bases.

For the VRET, three types were selected: the Hunting Jet Provost T.3; the Folland Gnat F.1; and last but not least, the [[Hunter_F.6|Hawker Hunter F.6]]. Before the trials began, the Folland Gnat was considered the forerunner, while the Hawker Hunter was initially not even considered for the trials, as the type was thought to be uneconomical for use in the Middle East, however, this decision was overturned after intense lobbying by Hawker. Early on during the trials, it became clear that the Hunting Jet Provost was not able to fulfil any of the requirements set by the trials, and while the type would go on to be developed into the successful BAC Strikemaster, it was eliminated from the contest. The trials had become a straight contest between the Hunter and the Gnat.

Early on, the Folland appeared to be a clear favourite: above 40,000 ft it was more manoeuvrable than the Hunter, and its diminutive size made it a difficult target to spot and aim at. Additionally, it required only a minimum of external equipment to operate it from unprepared airstrips. However, the diminutive size of the Gnat also worked in its disadvantage: its relative short landing gear gave the aircraft unpleasant characteristics on unpaved airstrips, and its relatively low-set exhaust damaged the runway surface. However, the main problem for the Gnat was that it was unable to meet range requirements. Fully loaded for combat it had a range of 188 nm, which fell short of the 250 nm requirement set up in the VRET; with external tanks, its maximum ferry range was 673 nm, which was insufficient to ferry it between the Royal Air Force's main Middle East Air Force bases. At the end of the trials, the Hunter came out as the winner on all points except agility above 40,000 ft.

Following the trials, conversion work was started to bring the Hunter F.6 up to full ground attack standard, the FGA.9 (for Fighter Ground Attack). The wing spars were restressed and strengthened, a brake chute was added in a housing above the exhaust for use on unprepared airstrips, the flight controls were adjusted to give a better response at low altitude, and the oxygen supply was increased; as the FGA.9 was primarily intended for use in the Middle East, the aircraft were also given a tropicalised refrigeration and ventilation system. New drop tanks were designed for the inner wing hardpoints, capable of carrying 230 gallons (instead of the 100-gallon drop tanks in use up to then); as they were larger, a cut-out was made in the flaps so they could be extended while carrying the new tanks. Initially, these tanks were fixed and intended for ferry use only, but gradually they were redesigned so they could be jettisonable and used in combat. The first Hunter FGA.9 made its maiden flight on July 3rd 1959. The initial batch was built to 'interim' FGA.9 with an Avon 203 which provided 10,000 lb thrust; the production variant was equipped with an Avon 207 which provided 10,050 lb thrust.

Around the time the Hunter FGA.9 started entering RAF service in 1960, the Hunter F.6 was considered obsolete as a day fighter with the impending service entry of the English Electric Lightning. As a result, many Hunter F.6 airframes were taken back by Hunter for a rebuild to the FGA.9 standard. In all, 144 Hunter F.6s were rebuild to FGA.9 standard. A dedicated reconnaissance variant was also developed out of the FGA.9: the FR.10 had the same capabilities as the FGA.9, except for the adjusted flight controls, its main difference being a set of reconnaissance cameras in a new nose.

In Royal Air Force service, the Hunter FGA.9 was first deployed in Aden in 1960, where it replaced the obsolete Venom; it was used during the Radfan Emergency to attack insurgent forces. During the Borneo Confrontation of 1963-1966, RAF Hunter FGA.9s were used in counter-insurgency operations. The withdrawal from the Royal Air Force from its former protectorates in the late 1960s saw the need for these ground-attack Hunters disappear; the last frontline RAF Hunter FGA.9 unit was disbanded in 1971, however, the type remained in RAF service as an advanced trainer until the 1980s, with trainer variants remaining in RAF service until the early 1990s.

The Hunter FGA.9 variant also became the basis of numerous close air support variants intended for export. This was partly possible due to the disbanding of numerous RAF day fighter units following the 1957 Defence White Paper, and partly due to the early retirement of the Hawker Hunter F.6 in Belgian (1963) and Dutch (1968) service. This released several hundreds of Hunter F.6 airframes which could be rebuilt to FGA standard. Dedicated 'national' variants were built for India (FGA.56), Kuwait (FGA.57), Switzerland (F.58A), Iraq (FGA.59), Lebanon (FGA.70), Chile (FGA.71), Jordan (FGA.73), Singapore (FGA.75), Abu Dhabi (FGA.76), Qatar (FGA.78) and Kenya (FGA.80). Additionally, numerous ex-Royal Air Force FGA.9 airframes were refurbished by Hunter for export.

In foreign service, the Hawker Hunter had a considerably long life. It was relatively easy to maintain type, which could be deployed quickly if needed. In the absence of aerial threats, it was an excellent ground attack aircraft, making it suited for low-intensity conflict and counter-insurgency operations. Many aircraft were locally modified to carry a wide variety of ordonnance: some air forces such as those of Switzerland and Singapore modified theirs to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder; in their ultimate guise, Swiss Air Force Hunters were even capable of firing the AGM-65 Maverick. Most aircraft were withdrawn from frontline service in the 1990s, with Switzerland being the last Western nation to withdraw the type from frontline service in 1994. The Indian Air Force was the last major user of the type, withdrawing the last of its Hunters in 2000; the last nation to withdraw the Hunter from frontline military service was Lebanon, retiring the Hunter in 2014. Even so, a handful of Hunters remain in limited military service: as of 2019, ATAC in the United States, Apache Aviation in France, Hawker Hunter Aviation in the UK and Lortie Aviation in Canada operate a number of civilianised Hawker Hunters under government military contracts to provide high-speed aerial threat simulation, mission support training and trials support services.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* Hawker [[Sea_Hawk_FGA.6|Sea Hawk]]
* Hawker [[Hunter F 1]]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Dassault [[Super Mystere B2|Super Mystère]]
* Mikoyan [[MiG-17]]
* North American [[F-100D|F-100]] Super Sabre
* North American [[FJ-4B]] Fury

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Hawker}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}
{{Britain premium aircraft}}

Hunter FGA.9

2021-05-27T01:53:23Z

U84825696: /* Survivability and armour */

{{About
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Hunter (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=hunter_f9_rhodesia
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|store=7212
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.93 "Shark Attack"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

Although without an afterburner, this aircraft will out-accelerate almost all aircraft at its battle rating. The [[MiG-15bis (Germany)|▀MiG-15]] bis and [[MiG-17AS]] will out-accelerate you on the runway, but from about 400-1,000 km/h you can pretty much outrun everything, even [[Shenyang F-5]]s, [[F-86K (France)|F86K]]s and [[F-100D|F100]]s all with afterburners. The aircraft has one of the best acceleration rates for a non-afterburning jet in the game, beaten by the Etendard IVM and then the Yak-38/38M. It also has extremely good top end speed for its battle rating. Be warned the aircraft is a '''brick''' (especially at lower speeds) so most aircraft will out-turn you. Turning is advised only against larger aircraft like [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|F-4 Phantoms]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,138 || 1,133 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.5 || 26.3 || 53.6 || 46.6 || rowspan="2" | 820
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,158 || 1,148 || 24.6 || 25.0 || 88.8 || 70.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 603 || 581 || 465 || ~14 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 850 || < 600 || < 690 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="3" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="1" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.207 || 1
| colspan="1" | 6,110 kg || colspan="2" | 237 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="2" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel
|-
| 1,175 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 6,510 kg || 7,487 kg || 10,900 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="3" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 4,272 kgf || N/A
| 0.67 || 0.57 || 0.39
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 4,991 kgf (1,100 km/h) || N/A
| 0.77 || 0.66 || 0.46
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


The FGA.9 is quite survivable with a robust airframe due to it being primarily intended for ground attacking or close air support. It may take a few hits from enemy cannon fire and still survive, and also stay flying with critical components (wing, engine, etc.) damaged long enough to return to base. However, don't expect the FGA.9 to soak up 30 mm DEFA or other ADEN armed aircraft. Head-on attacks are recommended, albeit from further away than other aircraft (about 2.5/2km away and pull off) due to closure rates and the aircraft being a brick so you have to pull off earlier than normal. '''''Do not commit fully to a head on attack''''', as your ADEN cannon muzzle velocity is slower than most other guns. Do not head-on aircraft with .50cal, like F-86s as they will ruin you before your shots even get anywhere near their aircraft. The placement of the cannons also makes head-on attacks tricky.

The only armour on the aircraft are a 64 mm bullet proof glass in front of the pilot, with a 12.7 mm steel plate behind the pilot.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|ADEN (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 4 x 30 mm ADEN cannons, nose-mounted (150 rpg = 600 total)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|H.E. M.C. Mk.II (500 lb)|M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb)|AIM-9E Sidewinder|SNEB type 23}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* Without load
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 4 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 36 x SNEB type 23 rockets + 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 36 x SNEB type 23 rockets + 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles

== Usage in battles ==


Side rush and burst climb, then enter the main cluster of aircraft in the middle (ideally with a height advantage). Your AIM 9E's (if you choose to bring them into battle) will quickly dispatch any enemies at a low energy state (hopefully distracted by fighting someone else). Use your superior speed in the cluster and launch your ordnance then zoom back up (the [[Boom & Zoom]] strategy). When you have expended your missiles, use your 30 mm ADENs as they are VERY destructive and typically only one shell is enough to critically damage or destroy any aircraft they come in contact with.

If up-tiered into fighting top-rank fighter jets, planes such as the [[MiG-21SMT]]<nowiki/>s / [[MiG-21MF (Germany)|MF]]<nowiki/>s , [[F-4E Phantom II|F-4E]]/[[F-4EJ Phantom II|EJ]]/[[Phantom FGR.2|FGR]] Phantoms will ruin the {{PAGENAME}} due to good turn rate (in the MiG's case) and very high speeds - they are problematic as the {{PAGENAME}} has a non-afterburning engine, so they will out-accelerate you easily, while the [[R-60M]]/[[AIM-9J Sidewinder|AIM-9J]]/[[AIM-7D Sparrow|AIM-7]]/[[Matra R550 Magic 1|R550 Magic]] missiles will easily out-pull the Hunter every time if they acquire a strong lock and send you back to the hangar. The only way to get a shot against the higher BR jets is to dive on them while they are distracted or fighting someone else and launch a missile at them.

===Radars===

The Hunter FGA.9 is equipped with an AN/APG-30 rangefinding radar, located in the nose of the aircraft.
It will automatically detect other planes within the scanning area and display the range to the closest target. It is linked with a gyro gunsight and can help with aiming at close range.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | AN/APG-30 - Rangefinding radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Tracking Range|The maximum range at which a target can be tracked}}
! {{Annotation|Minimum Tracking Range|The range below which targets cannot be tracked by the radar}}
! {{Annotation|Azimuth Tracking Angle|How far to each side the radar can track a target}}
! {{Annotation|Elevation Tracking Angle|How far up and down the radar can track a target}}
|-
| 2,750 m || 300 m || ±9° || ±9°
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent speed advantage when in rank V matches
* Tends to get down-tiered due to match-making placement
* AIM-9Es are very good with a longer burning motor (longer range and better energy retention, 10G manoeuvrability and up to (around) 4 km range from the rear
* 30 mm ADEN cannons are devastating to aircraft and ground targets with a good ammo pool and high fire rate
* Good SL and RP modifier, allowing you to grind out the British tech tree, while earning good SL.
* Low repair cost due to it's premium status (5,270 SL)

'''Cons:'''

* High speed manoeuvrability is bad due to locking up from about 1000 km/h onwards
* Low level pilot can pass out instantly from pulling 3G's from about 700 km/h, requires upgrades in G-Tolerance and Stamina to perform well
* If you spray with your cannons, 600 rounds will disappear quite quickly, so fire in controlled bursts.
* Will find itself extremely out-classed in up-tiers to fighting top-rank aircraft

== History ==


Towards the end of the 1950s, the Royal Air Force was faced with the increasing obsolescence of the [[Venom_FB.4|De Havilland Venom FB.4]] in the ground attack role. At the time, the Venom was still in use as a Close Air Support aircraft both in South East Asia and the Middle East; especially in the Aden Emergency it was intensely used, and as a result, a replacement was urgently required. In 1958 the Royal Air Force started the Venom Replacement Evaluation Trials (VRET), selecting the Royal Air Force bases of RAF Khormaksar (Aden) with its long paved runway, and RAF Riyan (Quaiti State, Eastern Aden Protectorate) with its unhardened airstrip as trials bases.

For the VRET, three types were selected: the Hunting Jet Provost T.3; the Folland Gnat F.1; and last but not least, the [[Hunter_F.6|Hawker Hunter F.6]]. Before the trials began, the Folland Gnat was considered the forerunner, while the Hawker Hunter was initially not even considered for the trials, as the type was thought to be uneconomical for use in the Middle East, however, this decision was overturned after intense lobbying by Hawker. Early on during the trials, it became clear that the Hunting Jet Provost was not able to fulfil any of the requirements set by the trials, and while the type would go on to be developed into the successful BAC Strikemaster, it was eliminated from the contest. The trials had become a straight contest between the Hunter and the Gnat.

Early on, the Folland appeared to be a clear favourite: above 40,000 ft it was more manoeuvrable than the Hunter, and its diminutive size made it a difficult target to spot and aim at. Additionally, it required only a minimum of external equipment to operate it from unprepared airstrips. However, the diminutive size of the Gnat also worked in its disadvantage: its relative short landing gear gave the aircraft unpleasant characteristics on unpaved airstrips, and its relatively low-set exhaust damaged the runway surface. However, the main problem for the Gnat was that it was unable to meet range requirements. Fully loaded for combat it had a range of 188 nm, which fell short of the 250 nm requirement set up in the VRET; with external tanks, its maximum ferry range was 673 nm, which was insufficient to ferry it between the Royal Air Force's main Middle East Air Force bases. At the end of the trials, the Hunter came out as the winner on all points except agility above 40,000 ft.

Following the trials, conversion work was started to bring the Hunter F.6 up to full ground attack standard, the FGA.9 (for Fighter Ground Attack). The wing spars were restressed and strengthened, a brake chute was added in a housing above the exhaust for use on unprepared airstrips, the flight controls were adjusted to give a better response at low altitude, and the oxygen supply was increased; as the FGA.9 was primarily intended for use in the Middle East, the aircraft were also given a tropicalised refrigeration and ventilation system. New drop tanks were designed for the inner wing hardpoints, capable of carrying 230 gallons (instead of the 100-gallon drop tanks in use up to then); as they were larger, a cut-out was made in the flaps so they could be extended while carrying the new tanks. Initially, these tanks were fixed and intended for ferry use only, but gradually they were redesigned so they could be jettisonable and used in combat. The first Hunter FGA.9 made its maiden flight on July 3rd 1959. The initial batch was built to 'interim' FGA.9 with an Avon 203 which provided 10,000 lb thrust; the production variant was equipped with an Avon 207 which provided 10,050 lb thrust.

Around the time the Hunter FGA.9 started entering RAF service in 1960, the Hunter F.6 was considered obsolete as a day fighter with the impending service entry of the English Electric Lightning. As a result, many Hunter F.6 airframes were taken back by Hunter for a rebuild to the FGA.9 standard. In all, 144 Hunter F.6s were rebuild to FGA.9 standard. A dedicated reconnaissance variant was also developed out of the FGA.9: the FR.10 had the same capabilities as the FGA.9, except for the adjusted flight controls, its main difference being a set of reconnaissance cameras in a new nose.

In Royal Air Force service, the Hunter FGA.9 was first deployed in Aden in 1960, where it replaced the obsolete Venom; it was used during the Radfan Emergency to attack insurgent forces. During the Borneo Confrontation of 1963-1966, RAF Hunter FGA.9s were used in counter-insurgency operations. The withdrawal from the Royal Air Force from its former protectorates in the late 1960s saw the need for these ground-attack Hunters disappear; the last frontline RAF Hunter FGA.9 unit was disbanded in 1971, however, the type remained in RAF service as an advanced trainer until the 1980s, with trainer variants remaining in RAF service until the early 1990s.

The Hunter FGA.9 variant also became the basis of numerous close air support variants intended for export. This was partly possible due to the disbanding of numerous RAF day fighter units following the 1957 Defence White Paper, and partly due to the early retirement of the Hawker Hunter F.6 in Belgian (1963) and Dutch (1968) service. This released several hundreds of Hunter F.6 airframes which could be rebuilt to FGA standard. Dedicated 'national' variants were built for India (FGA.56), Kuwait (FGA.57), Switzerland (F.58A), Iraq (FGA.59), Lebanon (FGA.70), Chile (FGA.71), Jordan (FGA.73), Singapore (FGA.75), Abu Dhabi (FGA.76), Qatar (FGA.78) and Kenya (FGA.80). Additionally, numerous ex-Royal Air Force FGA.9 airframes were refurbished by Hunter for export.

In foreign service, the Hawker Hunter had a considerably long life. It was relatively easy to maintain type, which could be deployed quickly if needed. In the absence of aerial threats, it was an excellent ground attack aircraft, making it suited for low-intensity conflict and counter-insurgency operations. Many aircraft were locally modified to carry a wide variety of ordonnance: some air forces such as those of Switzerland and Singapore modified theirs to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder; in their ultimate guise, Swiss Air Force Hunters were even capable of firing the AGM-65 Maverick. Most aircraft were withdrawn from frontline service in the 1990s, with Switzerland being the last Western nation to withdraw the type from frontline service in 1994. The Indian Air Force was the last major user of the type, withdrawing the last of its Hunters in 2000; the last nation to withdraw the Hunter from frontline military service was Lebanon, retiring the Hunter in 2014. Even so, a handful of Hunters remain in limited military service: as of 2019, ATAC in the United States, Apache Aviation in France, Hawker Hunter Aviation in the UK and Lortie Aviation in Canada operate a number of civilianised Hawker Hunters under government military contracts to provide high-speed aerial threat simulation, mission support training and trials support services.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* Hawker [[Sea_Hawk_FGA.6|Sea Hawk]]
* Hawker [[Hunter F 1]]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Dassault [[Super Mystere B2|Super Mystère]]
* Mikoyan [[MiG-17]]
* North American [[F-100D|F-100]] Super Sabre
* North American [[FJ-4B]] Fury

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Hawker}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}
{{Britain premium aircraft}}

Hunter FGA.9

2020-09-17T11:53:15Z

U84825696: /* General info */

{{Specs-Card
|code=hunter_f9_rhodesia
|store=7212
}}
{{About
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Hunter (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.93 "Shark Attack"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===

Although without an afterburner, this aircraft will out-accelerate almost all aircraft at it's battle rating. The '''[[MiG-15bis (Germany)|▀MiG-15]] bis''' and [[MiG-17AS]] will out-accelerate you on the runway, but from about 400-1000km/h you can pretty much outrun everything, even [[Shenyang F-5]]<nowiki/>s, [[F-86K (France)|F86K]]<nowiki/>s and [[F-100D|F100]]<nowiki/>s all with afterburners. The aircraft has the best acceleration for a non-afterburning jet in the game. It also has extremely good top end speed for its battle rating. Be warned the aircraft is a '''brick''' (especially at lower speeds) so most aircraft will out-turn you. Turning is advised only against larger aircraft like [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|F-4 Phantoms]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,138 || 1,133 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.5 || 26.3 || 53.6 || 46.6 || rowspan="2" | 820
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,158 || 1,148 || 24.6 || 25.0 || 88.8 || 70.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 620 || 620 || 465 || ~14 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 850 || < 600 || < 690 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="3" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="1" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.207 || 1
| colspan="1" | 6,110 kg || colspan="2" | 237 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="2" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel
|-
| 1,175 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 6,510 kg || 7,487 kg || 10,900 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="3" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 4,272 kgf || N/A
| 0.67 || 0.57 || 0.39
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 4,991 kgf (1,100 km/h) || N/A
| 0.77 || 0.66 || 0.46
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


The FGA.9 is quite survivable with a robust airframe due to it being primarily intended for ground attacking or close air support. It may take a few hits from enemy cannon fire and still survive, and also stay flying with critical components (wing, engine, etc.) damaged long enough to return to base. However, don't expect the FGA.9 to soak up 30 mm DEFA or other ADEN armed aircraft. Head-on attacks are recommended, albeit from further away than other aircraft (about 2.5/2km away and pull off) due to closure rates and the aircraft being a brick so you have to pull off earlier than normal. '''''Do not commit fully to a head on attack''''', as your ADEN cannon muzzle velocity is slower than most other guns. Do not head-on aircraft .50cal, like F-86s as they will ruin you before your shots even get anywhere near their aircraft. The placement of the cannons also makes head-on attacks tricky.

The only armour on the aircraft are a 64 mm bullet proof glass in front of the pilot, with a 12.7 mm steel plate behind the pilot.

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|ADEN (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 4 x 30 mm ADEN cannons, nose-mounted (150 rpg = 600 total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|H.E. M.C. Mk.II (500 lb)|M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb)|AIM-9E Sidewinder|SNEB type 23}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* Without load
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 4 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs + 36 x SNEB type 23 rockets (1,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 36 x SNEB type 23 rockets (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles

== Usage in battles ==


Side rush and burst climb, then enter the main cluster of aircraft in the middle (ideally with a height advantage). Your AIM 9E's (if you choose to bring them into battle) will quickly dispatch any enemies at a low energy state (hopefully distracted by fighting someone else). Use your superior speed in the cluster and launch your ordinance then zoom back up (the [[Boom & Zoom]] strategy). When you have expended your missiles, use your 30 mm ADENs as they are VERY destructive and typically only one shell is enough to critically damage or destroy any aircraft they come in contact with.

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
|
|
| Offensive 30 mm
| 2 500 LB GP
|-
| II
| New boosters
| Compressor
| Airframe
|
| 1000 LB GP
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| Engine
|
| New 30 mm cannons
| Matra SNEB
|-
| IV
| G-suit
|
| Cover
|
| AIM-9E
|-
! colspan="6" | This is a premium vehicle: all modifications are unlocked on purchase
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent speed advantage when in 8.7-9.7 matches
* Gets down-tiered most of the time due to 9.7 placement (9.7 BR lock means it can't face top tiers)
* AIM-9Es are very good for the BR, with a longer burning motor (longer range and better energy retention, 10G manoeuvrability and up to (around) 4 km range from the rear.
* 30 mm ADEN cannons are devastating to aircraft and ground targets with a good ammo pool and high fire rate
* Good SL and RP modifier, allowing you to grind out the British tech tree, while earning good SL.
* Low repair cost due to it's premium status (5,270 SL)

'''Cons:'''

* High speed manoeuvrability is bad due to locking up from about 1000 km/h onwards
* Low level pilot can pass out instantly from pulling 3G's from about 700 km/h, requires upgrades in G-Tolerance and Stamina to perform well
* If you spray with your cannons, 600 rounds will disappear quite quickly, so fire in controlled bursts.
* '''[If you go to top tier]''' [[MiG-21SMT]]<nowiki/>s / [[MiG-21MF (Germany)|MF]]<nowiki/>s , [[F-4E Phantom II|F-4E]]/[[F-4EJ Phantom II|EJ]]/[[Phantom FGR.2|FGR]] Phantoms will ruin you due to good turn rate (in the MiG's case) and very high speeds - they are problematic as the {{PAGENAME}} has a non-afterburning engine, so they will out-accelerate you easily, while the [[R-60M]]/[[AIM-9J Sidewinder|AIM-9J]]/[[AIM-7D Sparrow|AIM-7]]/[[Matra R550 Magic 1|R550 Magic]] missiles will easily out-pull the Hunter every time if they acquire a strong lock and send you back to the hangar. The only way to get kills against the higher BR jets is to dive on them while they are distracted or fighting someone else and launch a missile at them.

== History ==


Towards the end of the 1950s, the Royal Air Force was faced with the increasing obsolescence of the [[Venom_FB.4|De Havilland Venom FB.4]] in the ground attack role. At the time, the Venom was still in use as a Close Air Support aircraft both in South East Asia and the Middle East; especially in the Aden Emergency it was intensely used, and as a result, a replacement was urgently required. In 1958 the Royal Air Force started the Venom Replacement Evaluation Trials (VRET), selecting the Royal Air Force bases of RAF Khormaksar (Aden) with its long paved runway, and RAF Riyan (Quaiti State, Eastern Aden Protectorate) with its unhardened airstrip as trials bases.

For the VRET, three types were selected: the Hunting Jet Provost T.3; the Folland Gnat F.1; and last but not least, the [[Hunter_F.6|Hawker Hunter F.6]]. Before the trials began, the Folland Gnat was considered the forerunner, while the Hawker Hunter was initially not even considered for the trials, as the type was thought to be uneconomical for use in the Middle East, however, this decision was overturned after intense lobbying by Hawker. Early on during the trials, it became clear that the Hunting Jet Provost was not able to fulfil any of the requirements set by the trials, and while the type would go on to be developed into the successful BAC Strikemaster, it was eliminated from the contest. The trials had become a straight contest between the Hunter and the Gnat.

Early on, the Folland appeared to be a clear favourite: above 40,000 ft it was more manoeuvrable than the Hunter, and its diminutive size made it a difficult target to spot and aim at. Additionally, it required only a minimum of external equipment to operate it from unprepared airstrips. However, the diminutive size of the Gnat also worked in its disadvantage: its relative short landing gear gave the aircraft unpleasant characteristics on unpaved airstrips, and its relatively low-set exhaust damaged the runway surface. However, the main problem for the Gnat was that it was unable to meet range requirements. Fully loaded for combat it had a range of 188 nm, which fell short of the 250 nm requirement set up in the VRET; with external tanks, its maximum ferry range was 673 nm, which was insufficient to ferry it between the Royal Air Force's main Middle East Air Force bases. At the end of the trials, the Hunter came out as the winner on all points except agility above 40,000 ft.

Following the trials, conversion work was started to bring the Hunter F.6 up to full ground attack standard, the FGA.9 (for Fighter Ground Attack). The wing spars were restressed and strengthened, a brake chute was added in a housing above the exhaust for use on unprepared airstrips, the flight controls were adjusted to give a better response at low altitude, and the oxygen supply was increased; as the FGA.9 was primarily intended for use in the Middle East, the aircraft were also given a tropicalised refrigeration and ventilation system. New drop tanks were designed for the inner wing hardpoints, capable of carrying 230 gallons (instead of the 100-gallon drop tanks in use up to then); as they were larger, a cut-out was made in the flaps so they could be extended while carrying the new tanks. Initially, these tanks were fixed and intended for ferry use only, but gradually they were redesigned so they could be jettisonable and used in combat. The first Hunter FGA.9 made its maiden flight on July 3rd 1959. The initial batch was built to 'interim' FGA.9 with an Avon 203 which provided 10,000 lb thrust; the production variant was equipped with an Avon 207 which provided 10,050 lb thrust.

Around the time the Hunter FGA.9 started entering RAF service in 1960, the Hunter F.6 was considered obsolete as a day fighter with the impending service entry of the English Electric Lightning. As a result, many Hunter F.6 airframes were taken back by Hunter for a rebuild to the FGA.9 standard. In all, 144 Hunter F.6s were rebuild to FGA.9 standard. A dedicated reconnaissance variant was also developed out of the FGA.9: the FR.10 had the same capabilities as the FGA.9, except for the adjusted flight controls, its main difference being a set of reconnaissance cameras in a new nose.

In Royal Air Force service, the Hunter FGA.9 was first deployed in Aden in 1960, where it replaced the obsolete Venom; it was used during the Radfan Emergency to attack insurgent forces. During the Borneo Confrontation of 1963-1966, RAF Hunter FGA.9s were used in counter-insurgency operations. The withdrawal from the Royal Air Force from its former protectorates in the late 1960s saw the need for these ground-attack Hunters disappear; the last frontline RAF Hunter FGA.9 unit was disbanded in 1971, however, the type remained in RAF service as an advanced trainer until the 1980s, with trainer variants remaining in RAF service until the early 1990s.

The Hunter FGA.9 variant also became the basis of numerous close air support variants intended for export. This was partly possible due to the disbanding of numerous RAF day fighter units following the 1957 Defence White Paper, and partly due to the early retirement of the Hawker Hunter F.6 in Belgian (1963) and Dutch (1968) service. This released several hundreds of Hunter F.6 airframes which could be rebuilt to FGA standard. Dedicated 'national' variants were built for India (FGA.56), Kuwait (FGA.57), Switzerland (F.58A), Iraq (FGA.59), Lebanon (FGA.70), Chile (FGA.71), Jordan (FGA.73), Singapore (FGA.75), Abu Dhabi (FGA.76), Qatar (FGA.78) and Kenya (FGA.80). Additionally, numerous ex-Royal Air Force FGA.9 airframes were refurbished by Hunter for export.

In foreign service, the Hawker Hunter had a considerably long life. It was relatively easy to maintain type, which could be deployed quickly if needed. In the absence of aerial threats, it was an excellent ground attack aircraft, making it suited for low-intensity conflict and counter-insurgency operations. Many aircraft were locally modified to carry a wide variety of ordonnance: some air forces such as those of Switzerland and Singapore modified theirs to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder; in their ultimate guise, Swiss Air Force Hunters were even capable of firing the AGM-65 Maverick. Most aircraft were withdrawn from frontline service in the 1990s, with Switzerland being the last Western nation to withdraw the type from frontline service in 1994. The Indian Air Force was the last major user of the type, withdrawing the last of its Hunters in 2000; the last nation to withdraw the Hunter from frontline military service was Lebanon, retiring the Hunter in 2014. Even so, a handful of Hunters remain in limited military service: as of 2019, ATAC in the United States, Apache Aviation in France, Hawker Hunter Aviation in the UK and Lortie Aviation in Canada operate a number of civilianised Hawker Hunters under government military contracts to provide high-speed aerial threat simulation, mission support training and trials support services.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* Hawker [[Sea_Hawk_FGA.6|Sea Hawk]]
* Hawker [[Hunter F 1]]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Dassault [[Super Mystere B2|Super Mystère]]
* Mikoyan [[MiG-17]]
* North American [[F-100D|F-100]] Super Sabre
* North American [[FJ-4B]] Fury

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Hawker}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}
{{Britain premium aircraft}}

Phantom FGR.2

2020-09-17T11:35:31Z

U84825696: Weapon selection

{{Specs-Card|code=f-4m_fgr2}}
{{About
| about = jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = F-4 Phantom II (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''', also known as the '''F-4M''', is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.93 "Shark Attack"]]. It is a British version of the American F-4 Phantom II.

Although at first glance the F-4M appears very similar to its American counterpart the [[F-4C Phantom II]], there are a number of major visual and performance differences between the two aircraft. Phantoms produced for the RAF were redesigned to use British Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan engines, instead of the General Electric J79 turbojet engines found on American Phantoms. The British engines produced more thrust than the American engines, but were larger; as a result, the fuselage of British Phantoms was modified to be slightly wider than on the American models. In addition, the Phantom FGR.2 has larger air intakes than the F-4C, in order to allow for the increased airflow required by the new engines. The rear of the Fuselage is also significantly different on the Phantom FGR.2; the engines are noticeably angled downwards, and due to the different afterburner arrangement on the Spey engines the exhaust ports and the surrounding area were redesigned. Most distinctively, the Phantom FGR.2 has a squared-off tail and lacks the under-nose probe of the F-4C.

In game these changes mean that the Phantom FGR.2 has much better low altitude acceleration and climb rate, compared to the [[F-4C]], as a result of the more powerful engines. In games you will usually see the Phantom FGR.2s get off the ground and to altitude quicker than the F-4Cs; however due to the increased drag of the redesigned fuselage, and the performance characteristics of the Spey engines, it does not perform quite as well as the F-4C at high altitude, and cannot reach the same maximum speed.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===

[[File:FGR.2 fenris 001.jpg|400px|thumb|right|]]
The Phantom FGR.2 is a large and heavy aircraft (more than twice the weight of a MiG-21), but there are times when you would hardly know it. The Phantom's two Rolls-Royce Spey turbofans are the most powerful jet engines in the game and give it an incredible thrust to weight ratio, leading to the Phantom FGR.2 being the fastest accelerating, and flat out fastest aircraft in the game at low altitude, while also being a strong contender for the fastest climbing. On take-off even stock FGR.2s will be the first aircraft to get off the ground and make it top the end of the runway (usually be a decent margin); while in terms of flat out speed a fully upgraded FGR.2 will push Mach 1.22 along the deck, a good bit faster than any other aircraft. The Phantom also climbs incredibly well, when loaded with 20m of fuel, missiles and a gun pod it can accelerate past Mach 1 in a 20° climb and even gain speed in a 50° climb (until it reaches about 2,000 m altitude); only few aircraft make it to altitude as fast as / faster than the FGR.2.

While the Phantom FGR.2 is certainly not the most manoeuvrable fighter in the game it can prove to be more agile than you would expect at low altitude. While you shouldn't be getting into full blown turn fights the Phantom handles very nicely when down low and can pull some manoeuvres with surprisingly little speed loss (mainly thanks to the amount of engine power you have).

Where the Phantom FGR.2 suffers is at higher altitudes, the Spey engines perform worse at altitude and the structural changes to accommodate them caused increased drag; this makes it slower than the American [[F-4C]]. At high altitude the FGR.2 loses the agility it had at lower altitude, and generally does not handle as nice. While it is still flyable evasive manoeuvrers become harder and the turn radius is much larger.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 10,667 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,195 || 2,158 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.5 || 26.8 || 177.3 || 167.0 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,351 || 2,268 || 25.5 || 26.0 || 245.5 || 210.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ 
|-
|}
[[File:FGR2 full ordnance.jpg|thumb|400x400px|Phantom FGR.2 with multi-role ordnance]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 625 || 463 || ~11 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 810 || < 750 || < 700 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Rolls-Royce Spey 203 || 2
| colspan="2" | 14,140 kg || colspan="2" | 407 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 26m fuel
|-
| 1,860 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning low-bypass turbofan
| 15,747 kg || 18,667 kg || 20,015 kg || 25,400 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 26m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 5,120 kgf || 9,031 kgf
| 1.15 || 0.97 || 0.90 || 0.71
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 5,120 kgf (0 km/h) || 10,331 kgf (1,200 km/h)
| 1.31 || 1.11 || 1.03 || 0.81
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===

Much like the older [[F-4C]] variant, the British {{PAGENAME}} is without any armour protection whatsoever - the weight savings allow the aircraft to take on more fuel or ordnance while utilising speed as its best defence. This fighter packs numerous fuel tanks, while some are located in the leading edges of the wings, the majority of the fuel tanks are located within the fuselage packed around the engines and behind the cockpit. The control lines for the {{PAGENAME}} run from the cockpit down the length of the upper fuselage to the tailplane, relatively exposed to enemy gunfire.

Fighters attempting to take down a {{PAGENAME}} should try to force it to bleed its energy in a turn with missiles - a slow Phantom is a vulnerable Phantom. Autocannons and missiles will be most effective for disabling or destroying critical components, but smaller rockets such as [[M/55]], [[SNEB Type 23]] or [[FFAR Mighty Mouse]] unguided rockets fired in salvos during a head-on engagement may cause enough of a scattered grouping that a {{PAGENAME}} may not be able to avoid them all and fly into at least one.

== Armaments ==
=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|G.P. Mk.I (1,000 lb)|AIM-7E Sparrow|AIM-9D Sidewinder|SNEB type 23|M61 (20 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon, belly-mounted (gunpod) (1,200 rpg)
* 8 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bombs + 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon, belly-mounted (gunpod) (1,200 rpg) (8,000 lb total)
* 108 x SNEB type 23 rockets + 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon, belly-mounted (gunpod) (1,200 rpg)
* 4 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon, belly-mounted (gunpod) (1,200 rpg)
* 4 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bombs + 4 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon, belly-mounted (gunpod) (1,200 rpg) (4,000 lb total)
* 4 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles
* 4 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bombs + 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles + 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon, belly-mounted (gunpod) (1,200 rpg) (4,000 lb total)
* 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles + 108 x SNEB type 23 rockets + 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon, belly-mounted (gunpod) (1,200 rpg)
* 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles + 4 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon, belly-mounted (gunpod) (1,200 rpg)
* 4 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bombs + 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles + 4 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon, belly-mounted (gunpod) (1,200 rpg) (4,000 lb total)
* 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles + 4 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles

Like the [[F-4C]] the Phantom FGR.2 lacks any internal guns; instead relying on an M61 Vulcan rotary cannon, mounted centrally under the fuselage. The cannon is angled downwards at about 1°, coupled with the position of the gun under aircraft this makes aiming slightly more difficult than on other aircraft; the gun also has a wide bullet spread. A benefit of the rotary cannon is that it can fire all 1,200 rounds of ammo before it can overheat and jam. Unlike the F-4C the Phantom FGR.2 can only carry a single gunpod.

In terms of other suspended weaponry, the Phantom FGR.2 falls far behind the F-4C, having 6 loadout options compared to the F-4C's 21. It has a more limited choice of bombs, carries fewer rockets and cannot carry Bullpup air to ground missiles.

In terms of air to air missiles the Phantom FGR.2 can carry four [[AIM-9D]] Sidewinder missiles, and four [[AIM-7E Sparrow]] radar-guided missiles.; as opposed to the F-4C's choice of [[AIM-9B]] and [[AIM-9E]] Sidewinders. The AIM-9D is very similar to the AIM-9E in some ways outperforms it; the AIM-9D can pull 16 G instead of 10 G and is faster, with a more powerful rocket motor. The AIM-9E, however, can be slaved to the Phantom's radar unlike the AIM-9D and may track better. The AIM-7E Sparrow is radar-guided which means it uses semi-active radar homing to find and track the target. It can pull up to 15 G but it is recommended for longer range engagement, e.g lock a target and fire from up to around 8 km away, because the Sparrow is all-aspect and people in aircraft without RWR (radar warning receiver) will not know it is even coming if they are not situationally aware. This means that you can launch Sparrows at people who will never even see the missile coming. Although good for medium to longer range engagements the Sparrow is not very good at making sudden changes to it's flightpath and it takes a while to start tracking opponents, so you are better off switching to your AIM-9D Sidewinder short-range infrared homing missiles (using the new [[Weapons selector|weapon cycle function]]).

== Usage in battles ==


The thing which sets the Phantom FGR.2 apart from other jets is the sheer power of its engines (the most powerful in the game); this gives it incredible speed, acceleration and climb rate, especially at low altitude. The engines are however very fuel hungry, leading to a decision needing to be made about the fuel load you take. It may be tempting to take the 7 minute load to maximise flight performance, although this is ill advised as this will only give you a little over three minutes of flight time when using the afterburner, even if you only use the afterburner sparingly the 7 minutes fuel load will still limit your endurance quite significantly, and can often lead to you having to return to base sooner than you would want to. It is usually best to pick 20 minutes of fuel; this should give adequate endurance for the majority of games, and although the aircraft feels noticeably heavier than with 7 minutes of fuel it still performs incredibly well.

There are two main schools of thought on how to fly the Phantom FGR.2 to best make use of its advantages. One is to start the game by climbing to high altitude, and the other is to maintain low altitude throughout the game. Most games will use a mixture of both tactics i.e. starting the game by climbing high to get long range missile kills, then dropping down to low altitude to make use of your best-in-class low altitude performance.

; Start by climbing

The Phantom FGR.2 is one of the best climbing aircraft in the game; some players prefer to use this to their advantage and get to altitude at the start of the game in order to be above the vast majority of enemy aircraft. When choosing to play this way a good climbing technique is to take off on full afterburner straight into either a 20° or a 30° climb, depending on if you value speed or altitude more. A spaded Phantom FGR.2 with 20m of fuel the cannon pod and 4 x [[AIM-9D]] and 4x [[AIM-7E Sparrow|AIM-7E]] (the recommended load-out for most players) will accelerate to > Mach 1 in a 20° climb and reach 5,000 m about 1 minute 10 seconds after leaving the ground; by comparison in 30° climb it will reach 5,000m in about 55 seconds after leaving the ground, albeit travelling at only Mach 0.8. The choice of which climb profile to follow (or make your own) is up to you; 30° will get you to altitude quicker and in less horizontal distance, but at the expense of speed; on larger maps you may wish to take the 20° to get to the battle area quicker, it depend on your play-style; there are also other situations where having more speed once you get to altitude is desirable.

Everything varies depending on your play-style and the situation in battle, but as a rough guide if you want to learn the climbing play style: it is advisable to climb to somewhere between 5,000 m and 10,000 m (usually closer to 5,000 m). At these altitudes the Phantom has a lot worse handling than it does at low level, evasive manoeuvres are harder and turning radius is greatly increased. This altitude however is ideal for getting long range kills with the [[AIM-9D]]. Once at altitude you can skirt around the edge of the main combat area and attempt to get behind some players of the enemy team; and chose your target.

Beyond 5.5 km you will only be able to lock on to targets which have their afterburner on, and as the AIM-9D is a rear-aspect missile the missile will need to stay in their rear aspect in order to track them (or under some conditions side on to them). Missiles track best when the target is against a background of clear sky, so ideally find a high flying lone target to lock on to; if you are behind an afterburning target then it is possible to obtain a lock up to 13 - 14 km away under ideal conditions (although 7 - 9 km is much more common in battle). The AIM-9D excels at long range engagements however there are inherent risks when engaging targets at extreme ranges; the missile's flight time can reach / exceed 20 seconds, plenty of time for the target to do something such as turn around so the missile is facing them front on and can no longer track, or turn of their afterburner while the missile is still too far away to track without it. Another option is to get behind low flying jets and drop AIM-9Ds down onto them from altitude, this can be very successful, but targets at lower altitudes find it easier to dodge missiles than in the thin air at higher altitudes, and the missiles can find it harder to track targets which have the ground behind them (as opposed to open sky).

You will generally not want to spend your whole game at altitude, so when appropriate you can dive on enemy players and use your deadly cannon in "boom & zoom" attacks. At any time you can also drop back down to low altitudes and make use of the tactics in the next section.

; Staying low

[[File:R-60 Dodge Phantom PoV.mp4|thumb|right|Dodging an R-60 in the Phantom FGR.2 (Phantom player view)]]
[[File:R-60 Dodge Missile PoV.mp4|thumb|right|Dodging an R-60 in the Phantom FGR.2 (Missile view)]]
At high altitudes the Phantom becomes much less manoeuvrable, and to some extent loses its raw performance advantage compared to other top tier jets. Therefore an alternative theory on how to best use the Phantom is to stay al low altitude (< 2,000 - 3,000 m), where the Phantom feels much more responsive to fly and its flight performance largely exceeds that of the aircraft it fights against. Gameplay at low altitude tends to be less missile focused than at high altitude, mainly due to the enemy aircraft generally being close to you and the AIM-9Ds not working that well when fired from less than 2 km away.

You will develop your own tactics, but a good place to start is by building as much speed and climbing to no more than around 2,000 m, then fly to the side of the combat area and loop round to get behind some of the enemy (due to your incredible speed this won't take long at all), you can use your missiles against more distant targets or engage with the gun pod. It is recommended to keep your speed up, so engage a target, break away and then come back around for another pass. Your aircraft handles at its best below about 2,000 m and at speeds of around 700 - 1,000 kph. You can hold your speed well in turns (mainly down to the incredibly powerful engines), but the Phantom is still far from the most manoeuvrable aircraft, so turning engagements are not recommended. MiGs will often try to pull you into vertical manoeuvres, your engines do have enough thrust to let you attempt to follow them if you really need to, but it is seldom recommended as you will not usually be able to get guns or missiles on the MiG and it will leave you vulnerable to attack from other aircraft.

When partaking in the low altitude brawl you need to maintain good situational awareness, you can outrun any other jet in a straight line, but if you get caught up in a dog fight all it takes is one MiG-21 with [[R-60|R-60s]] slotting onto your tail to ruin your day. The MiG-21s equipped with [[R-60|R-60s]] are probably your biggest threat, but they can be managed. For starters the R-60 will rarely hit you if it is fired from more than 2 - 2.5 km away; if one is fired at you from within 2 km then you will not always be able to dodge it depending on the situation, but there are techniques you can use to significantly increase your chances. The first technique is to turn one way when the missile is fired, then roll the aircraft 180° and turn hard the other way, this will often throw the missile off if done right, but can cause you to lose some speed. Another technique is to pull the aircraft into a tight barrel roll; missiles can find it very hard to follow targets through a barrel roll manoeuvre; this manoeuvre can be a bit harder to do and cannot be done in some situations, but once mastered can be very effective and potentially lead to less speed loss than the previous method. See the videos to the right for an example of dodging R-60s with a barrel roll.

=== Modules ===
The order in which modifications are unlocked on the Phantom FGR.2 will depend to some extent on how one would like to play the aircraft. The [[AIM-9D]] missiles are among the best available to top tier jets, and so most fans of missile combat will likely want to unlock them as soon as possible. If missiles are not desired then it may be wise to instead focus on unlocking the 20 mm belts and new 20 mm cannon modification, to make the spread of the gun less extreme and more usable; and if one plans to use it as a ground attacker, then the ordnance options are the obvious choice (although the FGR.2 does not excel in this role to the same extent as its American counterpart). When equipped with its 8 x 1,000 lb bombs the FGR.2 becomes highly potent bomber; using its low altitude performance to get to enemy bases incredibly quickly, it is possible to unlock the bombs and use this tactic to speed up unlocking other modifications, although the FGR.2 is a capable fighter when stock so this is not a necessity.

Even when stock the Phantom FGR.2 is just about the best-performing aircraft in the game at low altitude; with this in mind flight performance upgrades are not as much of a priority as on other aircraft, so weapons upgrades can be prioritised. When unlocking flight performance upgrades one may wish to focus on engine upgrades to further improve the FGR.2's incredible acceleration and climbing performance.

{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="3" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Compressor
| Fuselage repair
|
| 1000 LB GP
| Flares
|-
| II
| New boosters
| Airframe
| Offensive 20 mm
| Matra SNEB
|
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| G-suit
|
| AIM-9D
|
|-
| IV
| Engine
| Cover
| New 20 mm cannons
|AIM-7E
|
|-
|}

;Possible modules to prioritise (depending on play-style of the pilot)

* Powerful missiles - '''AIM-9D''' module

* Ammunition variety - '''Offensive 20 mm''' module

* Ground attack - '''1,000 LB GP''' module for larger bombs followed up with '''Matra SNEB''' module for unguided rockets

=== Pros and cons ===

[[File:FGR.2 fenris 003.png |400px|thumb|right|]]

'''Pros:'''

* Better acceleration and climb rate than the [[F-4C]]
* One of the fastest aircraft in the game, especially at low altitude (just above sea level it can reach ~ Mach 1.17 when stock and ~ Mach 1.22 when spaded)
* One of the fastest climbing aircraft in the game
* Carries [[AIM-9D]] air-to-air missiles, what are mostly on par with and in some ways better than the [[AIM-9E]] found on the [[F-4C]]
* Very high rate of fire from autocannon, which does not jam
* Has tail-hook, can land on aircraft carriers
* Has a drogue chute to aid in braking upon landing

'''Cons:'''

* Gun pod is slightly angled downwards and has very wide bullet spread when stock, although this can be useful in some situations, it can make the gun hard to aim in others
* Gun pod cannot be fired while the landing gear is down
* Missiles are tier 3 upgrade modification which needs to be researched
* Large target compared to other aircraft such as the [[MiG-21 F-13]]
* Due to large weight it requires a high landing sped (~350 kph), can be tricky to land for players new to the fighter (especially on aircraft carriers)
* Not quite as good at high altitude as the [[F-4C]]
* Taking minimum fuel leaves the aircraft with very limited battle endurance (especially with use of the afterburner), while the 20 min fuel option noticeably impacts handling
* Missiles cannot be fired while pulling more than 4 G's, and when flying at high speed even gentle manoeuvres will cause exceed that limit

== History ==


===Background===
From the late 1950s onwards the British Government began looking to replace a number of its early second-generation jet aircraft. The RAF was looking to replace the [[Canberra_(Family)|English Electric Canberra]] in the long-range interdictor role, and the [[Hunter_(Family)|Hawker Hunter]] in the close air support role; meanwhile the Royal Navy was looking to replace their de Havilland Sea Vixens in the fleet air defence role<ref name="WikipediaPhantomUK">Wikipedia: McDonnell Douglas Phantom in UK service</ref>. Two aircraft programs were started to produce suitable replacements; the BAC TSR-2 was to be a highly advanced strike and reconnaissance aircraft to replace the Canberra. Meanwhile the Hunter and the Sea Vixen would be replaced by different versions of the P.1154; a Mach 2 capable VTOL aircraft developed from the P.1127 (the predecessor of famous Harrier Jump Jet). The Navy were not entirely happy with the idea of the navalised P.1154, believing that it did not suit their needs; and in 1964 they dropped out of the programme, deciding to purchase the F-4 Phantom from America instead. In the same year a new government was elected and in 1965 cancelled both the TSR-2 and P.1154 programmes on cost grounds, leaving the RAF without its much needed Canberra and Hunter replacements. The Government announced a plan to purchase the F-111K from America to replace the TSR-2 program (the F-111K would also eventually be cancelled on grounds of cost), while the Hunter would be replaced by F-4 Phantoms from America<ref name="BurkePhantom">Burke 2016</ref>.

===Development===
Both the Royal Navy and RAF were now set to purchase the F-4 Phantom. The RAF could have operated standard F-4 Phantoms (and to some extent would have preferred to)<ref name="BurkePhantom" />, however the aircraft was going to need modifications in order to be able to operate off of the UK's aircraft carriers, which were smaller than the ones Phantoms usually operated from. In a bid to help the British aviation industry (which had been hurt by a number of cancelled programmes), and make the aircraft suitable for use by the Royal Navy it was agreed that all UK Phantoms would be significantly modified, by British companies, from their US counterparts. The most notable change would be the replacement of the American J79 turbojet engines with larger and more powerful Rolls-Royce Spey turbofans; a modified rear fuselage to accommodate the new engines would also be built by BAC, and the aircraft's radar system would be built under license by Ferranti<ref name="WikipediaPhantomUK" />.

It was decided that the UK Phantoms would be based off of the F-4J, which was then the primary version in service with the US Navy at the time<ref name="WikipediaPhantomUK" />. As the RAF and Royal Navy had differing requirements it was decided that two variants of the UK Phantom would be designed: the first variant, for the Royal Navy, would be designated F-4K or Phantom FG.1; while the RAF variant would be developed from the navy variant and be designated F-4M or Phantom FGR.2. Work began on modifying the F-4J to meet the Royal Navy's needs; the nose radome had to be made to hinge 180 degreed, to allow the Phantom fit on the smaller deck elevators of British carriers, and a telescopic nose gear was installed to allow the aircraft to sit pitched nose-up on the flight deck (by up to 11°), reducing take-off distance<ref name="WikipediaPhantomUK" />. The new engines were installed at a slight downwards angle to further increase take-off performance and the rear fuselage to be redesigned to both accommodate the new engines and cope with the increased heat they produced; the air intakes also had to be made larger, and additional intake doors added in the fuselage to provide the Speys with the airflow they required<ref name="BurkePhantom" />. Many other small changes were also made to UK Phantoms. The first F-4K prototype flew on 27 June 1966, with the First F-4M prototype flying on 17 February 1967.

===Service===
The first F-4Ks were delivered in April 1968 and were designated Phantom FG.1, early the following year they began test flights from HMS Eagle and the USS Saratoga. During the testing the intense heat produced by the downward-angled Spey engines, while the afterburner was engaged, caused the flight deck plating of the USS Saratoga to buckle<ref name="BurkePhantom" />. On-board HMS Eagle heavy-duty steel plating had to be welded to the flight deck; and be cooled using water from the ship's fire hoses between flights, in order to stop it from melting<ref name="SearlesPhantom">Searles n.d.</ref>. When the HMS Ark Royal was upgraded to operate Phantoms it had to have water-cooled blast deflectors and decking installed to prevent the Phantom's engines from damaging the flight deck <ref name="BurkePhantom" />. HMS Ark Royal had finished its refit in 1970, by which point the refit of HMS Eagle had been cancelled, along with plans to build two additional aircraft carriers. With the Navy now only having one carrier capable of operating Phantoms it was decided to reduce the Navy's Phantom fleet down to 28 aircraft, with the other 20 FG.1s being transferred to the RAF. The remaining Royal Navy Phantoms would serve on the HMS Ark Royal (R09) until her retirement.

The first F-4Ms entered RAF service in May 1969, filling the role of tactical strike aircraft; they were given the designation Phantom FGR.2 (with FGR standing for Fighter/Ground attack/Reconnaissance). The RAF's Phantom FGR.2 was overall very similar to the Navy's FG.1 variant, but had a number of changes; they used a slightly different version of Spey engines (the FG.1 had faster afterburner engagement to aid with aborted landings on aircraft carriers), and naval features like the telescopic nose gear, slotted tail, and cockpit-controlled wing folding were dropped. The FGR.2 also had different avionics, the radar was slightly different and additional functionality such as an inertial navigation / attack system was added, as well as modification needed to allow the FGR.2 to use a gun pod and reconnaissance pod, among other changes<ref name="GledhillPhantom">Gledhill 2017</ref>. Both the FGR.2 and FG.1 would later be modified with squared off tails, holding a radar warning receiver.

In 1970 Phantom FGR.2s were deployed to West Germany to serve the roles of ground attack, interdiction, and reconnaissance; while English Electric Lightnings covered bomber interception. Over the years it was determined that the increased range and weapons payload of the Phantom made it a better fit for defending the UK's airspace, than the Lightning; so from 1974 onwards Phantoms began to be withdrawn from Germany to serve in air defence roles; they were replaced in the Close Air Support role by the SEPECAT Jaguar. The Phantoms took over more and more of the air defence role from the Lightning; however the Lightning would remain in service until 1988 (retiring only a few years before the Phantoms). The Phantom FG.1s were withdrawn from Royal Navy service in 1978, with the decommissioning of HMS Ark Royal, and were transferred to the RAF to serve in air defence roles. The Phantoms were replaced in Navy service by the Harrier Jump Jet, which was able to operate from the Navy's new Invincible-class aircraft carriers.

Following the Falklands War in 1982 the UK deployed a Squadron of FGR.2s to defend the Falkland Islands from any future attack; however this left a gap in the Air defence of the UK Mainland. It was decided to purchase 15 more F-4Js from America to fill this gap. The F4-Js were upgraded to F-4S standard and entered service with the RAF on 19 October 1984 under the designation Phantom F.3 or F-4J(UK)<ref name="BurkePhantom" />. The Phantom remained the UK's primary Air defence aircraft until it was gradually replaced by the Panavia Tornado; the last FG.1s retired on 30 January 1990, the last F.3s retired on 31 January 1991, and the FGR.2 left RAF service on 1 November 1992. The FGR.2 was due to retire earlier however just before retirement it was called back into service to defend RAF Akrotiri, on Cyprus, during the First Gulf War<ref name="BurkePhantom" />.

A total of 48 Phantom FG.1s, 118 Phantom FGR.2s and 15 Phantom F.3s were built<ref name="WikipediaPhantomUK" />.

===Further development plans===
Prior to the Phantom's retirement from RAF service there had been a plan to retrofit them with an upgraded version of the Spey engine. A program was started to design the new engines; they would have various improvements, the most notable of which being new turbine blades, reportedly manufactured from a single metal crystal<ref name="ThrustSSC">SSC Programme Ltd 1997</ref>. These blades would increase the operating life of the engines under normal conditions, but also give the option of operating the engines at higher temperatures, and thus higher thrust (although this would come at the expense of reduced engine life). These engines were known as Spey 205s and had a maximum thrust of 25,000 lb (11,340 kgf)<ref name="ThrustSSC" />, compared to 20,515 lb (9,305 kgf) for the regular Spey engines; although it is unclear if they would be used at this thrust rating while in service. With the Phantom retired the Spey 205 programme was cancelled, and no engines were produced under the Spey 205 name; however 12 Spey 202 engines had been upgraded to Spey 205 standard for testing (and are now generally referred to as Spey 205s, or Spey 202 hybrids)<ref name="BourneSSC">Bourne 1997</ref>. It is known that after the programme was cancelled two of the Spey 205 prototypes, along with two standard Spey 202s were obtained by the ThrustSSC programme (the world's fastest car)<ref name="ThrustSSC" />, although reports vary on whether the car was fitted with Spey 202s or 205s when it completed its record-breaking run.

===Comparison with American Phantoms===
The Rolls-Royce Spey engines gave British Phantoms notably different performance to their American counterparts. At low altitude British Phantoms accelerated faster than standard F-4Js and had a higher top speed; it was estimated that they had a 30% shorter take-off distance and a 20% faster climb to altitude<ref name="WikipediaPhantomUK" />. The Spey turbofan engines were also more fuel efficient than the J-79 turbojets, giving British Phantoms a 10 - 15 % increase in range compared to American aircraft<ref name="GledhillPhantom" />. The main drawback of the British design was that the reshaped fuselage produced more drag than the original design, meaning that at high altitude British Phantoms were slower and performed worse than their American counterparts (British Phantoms topped out at about Mach 1.9 at altitude, while American Phantoms could reach Mach 2.1)<ref name="BurkePhantom" />.

== Media ==


;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|DXovE9BD1a0|'''Should You Buy the Phantom FGR.2''' - ''Sako Sniper''|03iOjLo81uU|'''British Phantom FGR.2 Gameplay review war thunder''' - ''Sgt. Vittie''|nrfff8Y8pK8|'''War thunder Phantom FGR.2''' - ''riko toho''}}

== See also ==


;Other variants in-game

* [[F-4C Phantom II]] - U.S. Air Force variant multi-role fighter-bomber which could be outfitted with various autocannons, rockets, missiles and bombs. This aircraft is an effective fighter, ground-attacker and bomber. One of the fastest fighters currently available in War Thunder.

;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Mikoyan-Gurevich [[MiG-21 F-13|MiG-21]]
* Shenyang [[J-7II]]

== External links ==


* [[Wikipedia:McDonnell_Douglas_Phantom_in_UK_service|[Wikipedia<nowiki>]</nowiki> McDonnell Douglas Phantom in UK service]]

==References==
'''Citations'''
<references />

'''Bibliography'''

* Bourne, Nigel. (1997). Development of the Rolls-Royce Military Spey Mk202 Engine. Retrieved from [http://www.thrustssc.com/ ThrustSSC]
* Burke, Damien. (2016). McDonnell-Douglas/BAC F-4K/M Phantom II. Retrieved from [https://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/phantom/history.php Thunder and Lightnings]
* Gledhill, David. (2017). Phantom in the Cold War: RAF Wildenrath 1977 - 1992. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Aviation.
* Searles, Dick. (n.d.). HMS Eagle Deck Trials 1969. Retrieved from [https://www.phantomf4k.org/video-library/hms-eagle-deck-trials-1969 Phantom F4K - Fleet Air Arm Royal Navy]
* SSC Programme Ltd. (1997). The Story of the Rolls-Royce Spey. Retrieved from [http://thrustssc.com/ ThrustSSC]
* Wikipedia. (n.d.). McDonnell Douglas Phantom in UK service. Retrieved from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_Phantom_in_UK_service Wikipedia]

{{AirManufacturer McDonnell}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}

Hunter FGA.9

2020-05-28T04:10:50Z

U84825696: /* Details */

{{Specs-Card
|code=hunter_f9_rhodesia
|store=7212
}}
{{About
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Hunter (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.93 "Shark Attack"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
Although without an afterburner, this aircraft will out-accelerate almost all aircraft at it's battle rating. The '''[[MiG-15bis (Germany)|▀MiG-15]] bis''' will out-accelerate you on the runway, but from about 400-1000km/h you can pretty much outrun everything, even [[Shenyang F-5]]<nowiki/>s, [[F-86K (France)|F86K]]<nowiki/>s and [[F-100D|F100]]<nowiki/>s all with afterburners. The aircraft has the best acceleration for a non-afterburning jet in the game. It also has extremely good top end speed for its battle rating. Be warned the aircraft is a '''brick''' so most aircraft will out-turn you. Turning is advised only against larger aircraft like [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|F-4 Phantoms]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,138 || 1,133 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.5 || 26.3 || 53.6 || 46.6 || rowspan="2" | 820
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,158 || 1,148 || 24.6 || 25.0 || 88.8 || 70.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drag chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X ||✓
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 620 || 620|| 465 || ~14 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 850 || < 600 || < 690 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="3" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="1" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.207 || 1
| colspan="1" | 6,110 kg || colspan="2" | 237 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="2" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel
|-
| 1,175 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 6,510 kg || 7,487 kg || 10,900 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="3" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 4,272 kgf || N/A
| 0.67 || 0.57 || 0.39
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 4,991 kgf (1,100 km/h) || N/A
| 0.77 || 0.66 || 0.46
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


The FGA.9 is quite survivable with a robust airframe due to it being primarily intended for ground attacking or close air support. It may take a few hits from enemy cannon fire and still survive, and also stay flying with critical components (wing, engine, etc.) damaged long enough to return to base. However, don't expect the FGA.9 to soak up 30 mm DEFA or other ADEN armed aircraft. Head-on attacks are recommended, albeit from further away than other aircraft (about 2.5/2km away and pull off) due to closure rates and the aircraft being a brick so you have to pull off earlier than normal. '''''Do not commit fully to a head on attack''''', especially against F-86s as their .50 cals will ruin you at closer distances. The placement of the cannons also makes head-on attacks tricky.

The only armour on the aircraft are a 64 mm bullet proof glass in front of the pilot, with a 12.7 mm steel plate behind the pilot.

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|ADEN (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is outfitted with the following offensive ordnance:

* 4 x 30 mm ADEN autocannons, nose-mounted (150 RPG, 600 rounds total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|H.E. M.C. Mk.II (500 lb)|M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb)|SNEB type 23|AIM-9E}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following suspended ordnance:

* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 4 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs + 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M. C. Mk.II bombs + 36 SNEB type 23 unguided rockets
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 36 SNEB type 23 unguided rockets
* 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder air-to-air missiles

== Usage in battles ==


Side rush and burst climb, then enter the main cluster of aircraft in the middle (ideally with a height advantage). Your AIM 9E's (if you choose to bring them into battle) will quickly dispatch any enemies at a low energy state (hopefully distracted by fighting someone else). Use your superior speed in the cluster and launch your ordinance then zoom back up (the [[Boom & Zoom]] strategy). When you have expended your missiles, use your 30 mm ADENs as they are VERY destructive and typically only one shell is enough to critically damage or destroy any aircraft they come in contact with.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent speed advantage when in rank IV matches
* Gets down-tiered most of the time due to rank IV placement
* AIM-9Es are very good due to high speed, 10G manoeuvrability and up to (around) 4 km range from the rear
* 30 mm ADEN cannons are devastating to aircraft and ground targets with a good ammo pool and high fire rate

'''Cons:'''

* High speed manoeuvrability is bad due to locking up from about 1000 km/h onwards
* Low level pilot can pass out instantly from pulling 3G's from about 700 km/h, requires upgrades in G-Tolerance and Stamina to perform well
* MiG-21SMTs & MFs will ruin you due to good turn rate and very high speeds - they are problematic at high altitudes as the {{PAGENAME}} has a non-afterburning engine while the MiG's R-60M missiles will easily out-pull the Hunter every time if they acquire a strong lock (the only way to dodge is to use full elevator and aileron controls as soon as the "Missile has been launched" warning is shown)

== History ==


Towards the end of the 1950s, the Royal Air Force was faced with the increasing obsolescence of the [[Venom_FB.4|De Havilland Venom FB.4]] in the ground attack role. At the time, the Venom was still in use as a Close Air Support aircraft both in South East Asia and the Middle East; especially in the Aden Emergency it was intensely used, and as a result, a replacement was urgently required. In 1958 the Royal Air Force started the Venom Replacement Evaluation Trials (VRET), selecting the Royal Air Force bases of RAF Khormaksar (Aden) with its long paved runway, and RAF Riyan (Quaiti State, Eastern Aden Protectorate) with its unhardened airstrip as trials bases.

For the VRET, three types were selected: the Hunting Jet Provost T.3; the Folland Gnat F.1; and last but not least, the [[Hunter_F.6|Hawker Hunter F.6]]. Before the trials began, the Folland Gnat was considered the forerunner, while the Hawker Hunter was initially not even considered for the trials, as the type was thought to be uneconomical for use in the Middle East, however, this decision was overturned after intense lobbying by Hawker. Early on during the trials, it became clear that the Hunting Jet Provost was not able to fulfil any of the requirements set by the trials, and while the type would go on to be developed into the successful BAC Strikemaster, it was eliminated from the contest. The trials had become a straight contest between the Hunter and the Gnat.

Early on, the Folland appeared to be a clear favourite: above 40,000 ft it was more manoeuvrable than the Hunter, and its diminutive size made it a difficult target to spot and aim at. Additionally, it required only a minimum of external equipment to operate it from unprepared airstrips. However, the diminutive size of the Gnat also worked in its disadvantage: its relative short landing gear gave the aircraft unpleasant characteristics on unpaved airstrips, and its relatively low-set exhaust damaged the runway surface. However, the main problem for the Gnat was that it was unable to meet range requirements. Fully loaded for combat it had a range of 188 nm, which fell short of the 250 nm requirement set up in the VRET; with external tanks, its maximum ferry range was 673 nm, which was insufficient to ferry it between the Royal Air Force's main Middle East Air Force bases. At the end of the trials, the Hunter came out as the winner on all points except agility above 40,000 ft.

Following the trials, conversion work was started to bring the Hunter F.6 up to full ground attack standard, the FGA.9 (for Fighter Ground Attack). The wing spars were restressed and strengthened, a brake chute was added in a housing above the exhaust for use on unprepared airstrips, the flight controls were adjusted to give a better response at low altitude, and the oxygen supply was increased; as the FGA.9 was primarily intended for use in the Middle East, the aircraft were also given a tropicalised refrigeration and ventilation system. New drop tanks were designed for the inner wing hardpoints, capable of carrying 230 gallons (instead of the 100-gallon drop tanks in use up to then); as they were larger, a cut-out was made in the flaps so they could be extended while carrying the new tanks. Initially, these tanks were fixed and intended for ferry use only, but gradually they were redesigned so they could be jettisonable and used in combat. The first Hunter FGA.9 made its maiden flight on July 3rd 1959. The initial batch was built to 'interim' FGA.9 with an Avon 203 which provided 10,000 lb thrust; the production variant was equipped with an Avon 207 which provided 10,050 lb thrust.

Around the time the Hunter FGA.9 started entering RAF service in 1960, the Hunter F.6 was considered obsolete as a day fighter with the impending service entry of the English Electric Lightning. As a result, many Hunter F.6 airframes were taken back by Hunter for a rebuild to the FGA.9 standard. In all, 144 Hunter F.6s were rebuild to FGA.9 standard. A dedicated reconnaissance variant was also developed out of the FGA.9: the FR.10 had the same capabilities as the FGA.9, except for the adjusted flight controls, its main difference being a set of reconnaissance cameras in a new nose.

In Royal Air Force service, the Hunter FGA.9 was first deployed in Aden in 1960, where it replaced the obsolete Venom; it was used during the Radfan Emergency to attack insurgent forces. During the Borneo Confrontation of 1963-1966, RAF Hunter FGA.9s were used in counter-insurgency operations. The withdrawal from the Royal Air Force from its former protectorates in the late 1960s saw the need for these ground-attack Hunters disappear; the last frontline RAF Hunter FGA.9 unit was disbanded in 1971, however, the type remained in RAF service as an advanced trainer until the 1980s, with trainer variants remaining in RAF service until the early 1990s.

The Hunter FGA.9 variant also became the basis of numerous close air support variants intended for export. This was partly possible due to the disbanding of numerous RAF day fighter units following the 1957 Defence White Paper, and partly due to the early retirement of the Hawker Hunter F.6 in Belgian (1963) and Dutch (1968) service. This released several hundreds of Hunter F.6 airframes which could be rebuilt to FGA standard. Dedicated 'national' variants were built for India (FGA.56), Kuwait (FGA.57), Switzerland (F.58A), Iraq (FGA.59), Lebanon (FGA.70), Chile (FGA.71), Jordan (FGA.73), Singapore (FGA.75), Abu Dhabi (FGA.76), Qatar (FGA.78) and Kenya (FGA.80). Additionally, numerous ex-Royal Air Force FGA.9 airframes were refurbished by Hunter for export.

In foreign service, the Hawker Hunter had a considerably long life. It was relatively easy to maintain type, which could be deployed quickly if needed. In the absence of aerial threats, it was an excellent ground attack aircraft, making it suited for low-intensity conflict and counter-insurgency operations. Many aircraft were locally modified to carry a wide variety of ordonnance: some air forces such as those of Switzerland and Singapore modified theirs to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder; in their ultimate guise, Swiss Air Force Hunters were even capable of firing the AGM-65 Maverick. Most aircraft were withdrawn from frontline service in the 1990s, with Switzerland being the last Western nation to withdraw the type from frontline service in 1994. The Indian Air Force was the last major user of the type, withdrawing the last of its Hunters in 2000; the last nation to withdraw the Hunter from frontline military service was Lebanon, retiring the Hunter in 2014. Even so, a handful of Hunters remain in limited military service: as of 2019, ATAC in the United States, Apache Aviation in France, Hawker Hunter Aviation in the UK and Lortie Aviation in Canada operate a number of civilianised Hawker Hunters under government military contracts to provide high-speed aerial threat simulation, mission support training and trials support services.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* Hawker [[Sea_Hawk_FGA.6|Sea Hawk]]
* Hawker [[Hunter F 1]]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Dassault [[Super Mystere B2|Super Mystère]]
* Mikoyan [[MiG-17]]
* North American [[F-100D|F-100]] Super Sabre
* North American [[FJ-4B]] Fury

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Hawker}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}
{{Britain premium aircraft}}

Hunter FGA.9

2020-05-28T04:09:35Z

U84825696: /* Flight performance */

{{Specs-Card
|code=hunter_f9_rhodesia
|store=7212
}}
{{About
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Hunter (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.93 "Shark Attack"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
Although without an afterburner, this aircraft will out-accelerate almost all aircraft at it's battle rating. The '''[[MiG-15bis (Germany)|▀MiG-15]] bis''' will out-accelerate you on the runway, but from about 400-1000km/h you can pretty much outrun everything, even [[Shenyang F-5]]<nowiki/>s, [[F-86K (France)|F86K]]<nowiki/>s and [[F-100D|F100]]<nowiki/>s all with afterburners. The aircraft has the best acceleration for a non-afterburning jet in the game. It also has extremely good top end speed for its battle rating. Be warned the aircraft is a '''brick''' so most aircraft will out-turn you. Turning is advised only against larger aircraft like [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|F-4 Phantoms]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,138 || 1,133 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.5 || 26.3 || 53.6 || 46.6 || rowspan="2" | 820
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,158 || 1,148 || 24.6 || 25.0 || 88.8 || 70.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 620 || 620|| 465 || ~14 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 850 || < 600 || < 690 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="3" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="1" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.207 || 1
| colspan="1" | 6,110 kg || colspan="2" | 237 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="2" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel
|-
| 1,175 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 6,510 kg || 7,487 kg || 10,900 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="3" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 4,272 kgf || N/A
| 0.67 || 0.57 || 0.39
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 4,991 kgf (1,100 km/h) || N/A
| 0.77 || 0.66 || 0.46
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


The FGA.9 is quite survivable with a robust airframe due to it being primarily intended for ground attacking or close air support. It may take a few hits from enemy cannon fire and still survive, and also stay flying with critical components (wing, engine, etc.) damaged long enough to return to base. However, don't expect the FGA.9 to soak up 30 mm DEFA or other ADEN armed aircraft. Head-on attacks are recommended, albeit from further away than other aircraft (about 2.5/2km away and pull off) due to closure rates and the aircraft being a brick so you have to pull off earlier than normal. '''''Do not commit fully to a head on attack''''', especially against F-86s as their .50 cals will ruin you at closer distances. The placement of the cannons also makes head-on attacks tricky.

The only armour on the aircraft are a 64 mm bullet proof glass in front of the pilot, with a 12.7 mm steel plate behind the pilot.

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|ADEN (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is outfitted with the following offensive ordnance:

* 4 x 30 mm ADEN autocannons, nose-mounted (150 RPG, 600 rounds total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|H.E. M.C. Mk.II (500 lb)|M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb)|SNEB type 23|AIM-9E}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following suspended ordnance:

* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 4 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs + 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M. C. Mk.II bombs + 36 SNEB type 23 unguided rockets
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 36 SNEB type 23 unguided rockets
* 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder air-to-air missiles

== Usage in battles ==


Side rush and burst climb, then enter the main cluster of aircraft in the middle (ideally with a height advantage). Your AIM 9E's (if you choose to bring them into battle) will quickly dispatch any enemies at a low energy state (hopefully distracted by fighting someone else). Use your superior speed in the cluster and launch your ordinance then zoom back up (the [[Boom & Zoom]] strategy). When you have expended your missiles, use your 30 mm ADENs as they are VERY destructive and typically only one shell is enough to critically damage or destroy any aircraft they come in contact with.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent speed advantage when in rank IV matches
* Gets down-tiered most of the time due to rank IV placement
* AIM-9Es are very good due to high speed, 10G manoeuvrability and up to (around) 4 km range from the rear
* 30 mm ADEN cannons are devastating to aircraft and ground targets with a good ammo pool and high fire rate

'''Cons:'''

* High speed manoeuvrability is bad due to locking up from about 1000 km/h onwards
* Low level pilot can pass out instantly from pulling 3G's from about 700 km/h, requires upgrades in G-Tolerance and Stamina to perform well
* MiG-21SMTs & MFs will ruin you due to good turn rate and very high speeds - they are problematic at high altitudes as the {{PAGENAME}} has a non-afterburning engine while the MiG's R-60M missiles will easily out-pull the Hunter every time if they acquire a strong lock (the only way to dodge is to use full elevator and aileron controls as soon as the "Missile has been launched" warning is shown)

== History ==


Towards the end of the 1950s, the Royal Air Force was faced with the increasing obsolescence of the [[Venom_FB.4|De Havilland Venom FB.4]] in the ground attack role. At the time, the Venom was still in use as a Close Air Support aircraft both in South East Asia and the Middle East; especially in the Aden Emergency it was intensely used, and as a result, a replacement was urgently required. In 1958 the Royal Air Force started the Venom Replacement Evaluation Trials (VRET), selecting the Royal Air Force bases of RAF Khormaksar (Aden) with its long paved runway, and RAF Riyan (Quaiti State, Eastern Aden Protectorate) with its unhardened airstrip as trials bases.

For the VRET, three types were selected: the Hunting Jet Provost T.3; the Folland Gnat F.1; and last but not least, the [[Hunter_F.6|Hawker Hunter F.6]]. Before the trials began, the Folland Gnat was considered the forerunner, while the Hawker Hunter was initially not even considered for the trials, as the type was thought to be uneconomical for use in the Middle East, however, this decision was overturned after intense lobbying by Hawker. Early on during the trials, it became clear that the Hunting Jet Provost was not able to fulfil any of the requirements set by the trials, and while the type would go on to be developed into the successful BAC Strikemaster, it was eliminated from the contest. The trials had become a straight contest between the Hunter and the Gnat.

Early on, the Folland appeared to be a clear favourite: above 40,000 ft it was more manoeuvrable than the Hunter, and its diminutive size made it a difficult target to spot and aim at. Additionally, it required only a minimum of external equipment to operate it from unprepared airstrips. However, the diminutive size of the Gnat also worked in its disadvantage: its relative short landing gear gave the aircraft unpleasant characteristics on unpaved airstrips, and its relatively low-set exhaust damaged the runway surface. However, the main problem for the Gnat was that it was unable to meet range requirements. Fully loaded for combat it had a range of 188 nm, which fell short of the 250 nm requirement set up in the VRET; with external tanks, its maximum ferry range was 673 nm, which was insufficient to ferry it between the Royal Air Force's main Middle East Air Force bases. At the end of the trials, the Hunter came out as the winner on all points except agility above 40,000 ft.

Following the trials, conversion work was started to bring the Hunter F.6 up to full ground attack standard, the FGA.9 (for Fighter Ground Attack). The wing spars were restressed and strengthened, a brake chute was added in a housing above the exhaust for use on unprepared airstrips, the flight controls were adjusted to give a better response at low altitude, and the oxygen supply was increased; as the FGA.9 was primarily intended for use in the Middle East, the aircraft were also given a tropicalised refrigeration and ventilation system. New drop tanks were designed for the inner wing hardpoints, capable of carrying 230 gallons (instead of the 100-gallon drop tanks in use up to then); as they were larger, a cut-out was made in the flaps so they could be extended while carrying the new tanks. Initially, these tanks were fixed and intended for ferry use only, but gradually they were redesigned so they could be jettisonable and used in combat. The first Hunter FGA.9 made its maiden flight on July 3rd 1959. The initial batch was built to 'interim' FGA.9 with an Avon 203 which provided 10,000 lb thrust; the production variant was equipped with an Avon 207 which provided 10,050 lb thrust.

Around the time the Hunter FGA.9 started entering RAF service in 1960, the Hunter F.6 was considered obsolete as a day fighter with the impending service entry of the English Electric Lightning. As a result, many Hunter F.6 airframes were taken back by Hunter for a rebuild to the FGA.9 standard. In all, 144 Hunter F.6s were rebuild to FGA.9 standard. A dedicated reconnaissance variant was also developed out of the FGA.9: the FR.10 had the same capabilities as the FGA.9, except for the adjusted flight controls, its main difference being a set of reconnaissance cameras in a new nose.

In Royal Air Force service, the Hunter FGA.9 was first deployed in Aden in 1960, where it replaced the obsolete Venom; it was used during the Radfan Emergency to attack insurgent forces. During the Borneo Confrontation of 1963-1966, RAF Hunter FGA.9s were used in counter-insurgency operations. The withdrawal from the Royal Air Force from its former protectorates in the late 1960s saw the need for these ground-attack Hunters disappear; the last frontline RAF Hunter FGA.9 unit was disbanded in 1971, however, the type remained in RAF service as an advanced trainer until the 1980s, with trainer variants remaining in RAF service until the early 1990s.

The Hunter FGA.9 variant also became the basis of numerous close air support variants intended for export. This was partly possible due to the disbanding of numerous RAF day fighter units following the 1957 Defence White Paper, and partly due to the early retirement of the Hawker Hunter F.6 in Belgian (1963) and Dutch (1968) service. This released several hundreds of Hunter F.6 airframes which could be rebuilt to FGA standard. Dedicated 'national' variants were built for India (FGA.56), Kuwait (FGA.57), Switzerland (F.58A), Iraq (FGA.59), Lebanon (FGA.70), Chile (FGA.71), Jordan (FGA.73), Singapore (FGA.75), Abu Dhabi (FGA.76), Qatar (FGA.78) and Kenya (FGA.80). Additionally, numerous ex-Royal Air Force FGA.9 airframes were refurbished by Hunter for export.

In foreign service, the Hawker Hunter had a considerably long life. It was relatively easy to maintain type, which could be deployed quickly if needed. In the absence of aerial threats, it was an excellent ground attack aircraft, making it suited for low-intensity conflict and counter-insurgency operations. Many aircraft were locally modified to carry a wide variety of ordonnance: some air forces such as those of Switzerland and Singapore modified theirs to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder; in their ultimate guise, Swiss Air Force Hunters were even capable of firing the AGM-65 Maverick. Most aircraft were withdrawn from frontline service in the 1990s, with Switzerland being the last Western nation to withdraw the type from frontline service in 1994. The Indian Air Force was the last major user of the type, withdrawing the last of its Hunters in 2000; the last nation to withdraw the Hunter from frontline military service was Lebanon, retiring the Hunter in 2014. Even so, a handful of Hunters remain in limited military service: as of 2019, ATAC in the United States, Apache Aviation in France, Hawker Hunter Aviation in the UK and Lortie Aviation in Canada operate a number of civilianised Hawker Hunters under government military contracts to provide high-speed aerial threat simulation, mission support training and trials support services.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* Hawker [[Sea_Hawk_FGA.6|Sea Hawk]]
* Hawker [[Hunter F 1]]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Dassault [[Super Mystere B2|Super Mystère]]
* Mikoyan [[MiG-17]]
* North American [[F-100D|F-100]] Super Sabre
* North American [[FJ-4B]] Fury

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Hawker}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}
{{Britain premium aircraft}}

Hunter FGA.9

2020-05-28T04:08:24Z

U84825696: /* Flight performance */

{{Specs-Card
|code=hunter_f9_rhodesia
|store=7212
}}
{{About
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Hunter (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.93 "Shark Attack"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
Although without an afterburner, this aircraft will out-accelerate almost all aircraft at it's battle rating. The '''[[MiG-15bis (Germany)|▀MiG-15]] bis''' will out-accelerate you on the runway, but from about 400-1000km/h you can pretty much outrun everything, even [[Shenyang F-5]]<nowiki/>s, [[F-86K (France)|F86K]]<nowiki/>s and [[F-100D|F100]]<nowiki/>s all with afterburners. The aircraft has the best acceleration for a non-afterburning jet in the game. It also has extremely good top end speed for its battle rating. Be warned the aircraft is a '''brick''' so most aircraft will out-turn you. Turning is advised only against aircraft like [[F-4 Phantom II (Family)|F-4 Phantoms]] that are big boys.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,138 || 1,133 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.5 || 26.3 || 53.6 || 46.6 || rowspan="2" | 820
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,158 || 1,148 || 24.6 || 25.0 || 88.8 || 70.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 620 || 620|| 465 || ~14 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 850 || < 600 || < 690 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="3" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="1" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.207 || 1
| colspan="1" | 6,110 kg || colspan="2" | 237 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="2" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel
|-
| 1,175 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 6,510 kg || 7,487 kg || 10,900 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="3" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 4,272 kgf || N/A
| 0.67 || 0.57 || 0.39
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 4,991 kgf (1,100 km/h) || N/A
| 0.77 || 0.66 || 0.46
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


The FGA.9 is quite survivable with a robust airframe due to it being primarily intended for ground attacking or close air support. It may take a few hits from enemy cannon fire and still survive, and also stay flying with critical components (wing, engine, etc.) damaged long enough to return to base. However, don't expect the FGA.9 to soak up 30 mm DEFA or other ADEN armed aircraft. Head-on attacks are recommended, albeit from further away than other aircraft (about 2.5/2km away and pull off) due to closure rates and the aircraft being a brick so you have to pull off earlier than normal. '''''Do not commit fully to a head on attack''''', especially against F-86s as their .50 cals will ruin you at closer distances. The placement of the cannons also makes head-on attacks tricky.

The only armour on the aircraft are a 64 mm bullet proof glass in front of the pilot, with a 12.7 mm steel plate behind the pilot.

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|ADEN (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is outfitted with the following offensive ordnance:

* 4 x 30 mm ADEN autocannons, nose-mounted (150 RPG, 600 rounds total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|H.E. M.C. Mk.II (500 lb)|M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb)|SNEB type 23|AIM-9E}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following suspended ordnance:

* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 4 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs + 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M. C. Mk.II bombs + 36 SNEB type 23 unguided rockets
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 36 SNEB type 23 unguided rockets
* 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder air-to-air missiles

== Usage in battles ==


Side rush and burst climb, then enter the main cluster of aircraft in the middle (ideally with a height advantage). Your AIM 9E's (if you choose to bring them into battle) will quickly dispatch any enemies at a low energy state (hopefully distracted by fighting someone else). Use your superior speed in the cluster and launch your ordinance then zoom back up (the [[Boom & Zoom]] strategy). When you have expended your missiles, use your 30 mm ADENs as they are VERY destructive and typically only one shell is enough to critically damage or destroy any aircraft they come in contact with.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent speed advantage when in rank IV matches
* Gets down-tiered most of the time due to rank IV placement
* AIM-9Es are very good due to high speed, 10G manoeuvrability and up to (around) 4 km range from the rear
* 30 mm ADEN cannons are devastating to aircraft and ground targets with a good ammo pool and high fire rate

'''Cons:'''

* High speed manoeuvrability is bad due to locking up from about 1000 km/h onwards
* Low level pilot can pass out instantly from pulling 3G's from about 700 km/h, requires upgrades in G-Tolerance and Stamina to perform well
* MiG-21SMTs & MFs will ruin you due to good turn rate and very high speeds - they are problematic at high altitudes as the {{PAGENAME}} has a non-afterburning engine while the MiG's R-60M missiles will easily out-pull the Hunter every time if they acquire a strong lock (the only way to dodge is to use full elevator and aileron controls as soon as the "Missile has been launched" warning is shown)

== History ==


Towards the end of the 1950s, the Royal Air Force was faced with the increasing obsolescence of the [[Venom_FB.4|De Havilland Venom FB.4]] in the ground attack role. At the time, the Venom was still in use as a Close Air Support aircraft both in South East Asia and the Middle East; especially in the Aden Emergency it was intensely used, and as a result, a replacement was urgently required. In 1958 the Royal Air Force started the Venom Replacement Evaluation Trials (VRET), selecting the Royal Air Force bases of RAF Khormaksar (Aden) with its long paved runway, and RAF Riyan (Quaiti State, Eastern Aden Protectorate) with its unhardened airstrip as trials bases.

For the VRET, three types were selected: the Hunting Jet Provost T.3; the Folland Gnat F.1; and last but not least, the [[Hunter_F.6|Hawker Hunter F.6]]. Before the trials began, the Folland Gnat was considered the forerunner, while the Hawker Hunter was initially not even considered for the trials, as the type was thought to be uneconomical for use in the Middle East, however, this decision was overturned after intense lobbying by Hawker. Early on during the trials, it became clear that the Hunting Jet Provost was not able to fulfil any of the requirements set by the trials, and while the type would go on to be developed into the successful BAC Strikemaster, it was eliminated from the contest. The trials had become a straight contest between the Hunter and the Gnat.

Early on, the Folland appeared to be a clear favourite: above 40,000 ft it was more manoeuvrable than the Hunter, and its diminutive size made it a difficult target to spot and aim at. Additionally, it required only a minimum of external equipment to operate it from unprepared airstrips. However, the diminutive size of the Gnat also worked in its disadvantage: its relative short landing gear gave the aircraft unpleasant characteristics on unpaved airstrips, and its relatively low-set exhaust damaged the runway surface. However, the main problem for the Gnat was that it was unable to meet range requirements. Fully loaded for combat it had a range of 188 nm, which fell short of the 250 nm requirement set up in the VRET; with external tanks, its maximum ferry range was 673 nm, which was insufficient to ferry it between the Royal Air Force's main Middle East Air Force bases. At the end of the trials, the Hunter came out as the winner on all points except agility above 40,000 ft.

Following the trials, conversion work was started to bring the Hunter F.6 up to full ground attack standard, the FGA.9 (for Fighter Ground Attack). The wing spars were restressed and strengthened, a brake chute was added in a housing above the exhaust for use on unprepared airstrips, the flight controls were adjusted to give a better response at low altitude, and the oxygen supply was increased; as the FGA.9 was primarily intended for use in the Middle East, the aircraft were also given a tropicalised refrigeration and ventilation system. New drop tanks were designed for the inner wing hardpoints, capable of carrying 230 gallons (instead of the 100-gallon drop tanks in use up to then); as they were larger, a cut-out was made in the flaps so they could be extended while carrying the new tanks. Initially, these tanks were fixed and intended for ferry use only, but gradually they were redesigned so they could be jettisonable and used in combat. The first Hunter FGA.9 made its maiden flight on July 3rd 1959. The initial batch was built to 'interim' FGA.9 with an Avon 203 which provided 10,000 lb thrust; the production variant was equipped with an Avon 207 which provided 10,050 lb thrust.

Around the time the Hunter FGA.9 started entering RAF service in 1960, the Hunter F.6 was considered obsolete as a day fighter with the impending service entry of the English Electric Lightning. As a result, many Hunter F.6 airframes were taken back by Hunter for a rebuild to the FGA.9 standard. In all, 144 Hunter F.6s were rebuild to FGA.9 standard. A dedicated reconnaissance variant was also developed out of the FGA.9: the FR.10 had the same capabilities as the FGA.9, except for the adjusted flight controls, its main difference being a set of reconnaissance cameras in a new nose.

In Royal Air Force service, the Hunter FGA.9 was first deployed in Aden in 1960, where it replaced the obsolete Venom; it was used during the Radfan Emergency to attack insurgent forces. During the Borneo Confrontation of 1963-1966, RAF Hunter FGA.9s were used in counter-insurgency operations. The withdrawal from the Royal Air Force from its former protectorates in the late 1960s saw the need for these ground-attack Hunters disappear; the last frontline RAF Hunter FGA.9 unit was disbanded in 1971, however, the type remained in RAF service as an advanced trainer until the 1980s, with trainer variants remaining in RAF service until the early 1990s.

The Hunter FGA.9 variant also became the basis of numerous close air support variants intended for export. This was partly possible due to the disbanding of numerous RAF day fighter units following the 1957 Defence White Paper, and partly due to the early retirement of the Hawker Hunter F.6 in Belgian (1963) and Dutch (1968) service. This released several hundreds of Hunter F.6 airframes which could be rebuilt to FGA standard. Dedicated 'national' variants were built for India (FGA.56), Kuwait (FGA.57), Switzerland (F.58A), Iraq (FGA.59), Lebanon (FGA.70), Chile (FGA.71), Jordan (FGA.73), Singapore (FGA.75), Abu Dhabi (FGA.76), Qatar (FGA.78) and Kenya (FGA.80). Additionally, numerous ex-Royal Air Force FGA.9 airframes were refurbished by Hunter for export.

In foreign service, the Hawker Hunter had a considerably long life. It was relatively easy to maintain type, which could be deployed quickly if needed. In the absence of aerial threats, it was an excellent ground attack aircraft, making it suited for low-intensity conflict and counter-insurgency operations. Many aircraft were locally modified to carry a wide variety of ordonnance: some air forces such as those of Switzerland and Singapore modified theirs to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder; in their ultimate guise, Swiss Air Force Hunters were even capable of firing the AGM-65 Maverick. Most aircraft were withdrawn from frontline service in the 1990s, with Switzerland being the last Western nation to withdraw the type from frontline service in 1994. The Indian Air Force was the last major user of the type, withdrawing the last of its Hunters in 2000; the last nation to withdraw the Hunter from frontline military service was Lebanon, retiring the Hunter in 2014. Even so, a handful of Hunters remain in limited military service: as of 2019, ATAC in the United States, Apache Aviation in France, Hawker Hunter Aviation in the UK and Lortie Aviation in Canada operate a number of civilianised Hawker Hunters under government military contracts to provide high-speed aerial threat simulation, mission support training and trials support services.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* Hawker [[Sea_Hawk_FGA.6|Sea Hawk]]
* Hawker [[Hunter F 1]]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Dassault [[Super Mystere B2|Super Mystère]]
* Mikoyan [[MiG-17]]
* North American [[F-100D|F-100]] Super Sabre
* North American [[FJ-4B]] Fury

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Hawker}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}
{{Britain premium aircraft}}

Hunter FGA.9

2020-05-26T05:04:10Z

U84825696: /* Survivability and armour */

{{Specs-Card
|code=hunter_f9_rhodesia
|store=7212
}}
{{About
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Hunter (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.93 "Shark Attack"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,138 || 1,133 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.5 || 26.3 || 53.6 || 46.6 || rowspan="2" | 820
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,158 || 1,148 || 24.6 || 25.0 || 88.8 || 70.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 620 || 620|| 465 || ~14 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 850 || < 600 || < 690 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="3" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="1" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.207 || 1
| colspan="1" | 6,110 kg || colspan="2" | 237 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="2" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel
|-
| 1,175 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 6,510 kg || 7,487 kg || 10,900 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="3" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 4,272 kgf || N/A
| 0.67 || 0.57 || 0.39
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 4,991 kgf (1,100 km/h) || N/A
| 0.77 || 0.66 || 0.46
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
The FGA.9 is quite survivable with a robust airframe due to it being primarily intended for ground attacking or close air support. In my experience, I have survived multiple M61 Vulcan 20mm hits and the damage is minimal. I have also landed the plane without a wing or engine, and significant damage. Don't expect to soak up 30mm DEFA or other ADEN armed aircraft, because the damage output from 30mm guns is enough to send the HMS Elizabeth back to the hangar. Head-on attacks are recommended, albeit from further away than other aircraft (about 2.5/2km away and pull off) due to closure rates and the aircraft being a brick so you have to pull off earlier than normal. '''''Do not commit fully to a head on attack''''', especially against F86s as their .50cals will ruin you at closer distances. The placement of the cannons also makes head-on attacks tricky.

Armour

*

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|ADEN (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is outfitted with the following offensive ordnance:

* 4 x 30 mm ADEN autocannons, nose-mounted (150 RPG, 600 rounds total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|H.E. M.C. Mk.II (500 lb)|M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb)|SNEB type 23|AIM-9E}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following suspended ordnance:

* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 4 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs + 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M. C. Mk.II bombs + 36 SNEB type 23 unguided rockets
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 36 SNEB type 23 unguided rockets
* 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder air-to-air missiles

== Usage in battles ==


Side rush and burst climb, then enter the main cluster of aircraft in the middle (ideally with a height advantage). Your AIM 9E's (if you choose to bring them into battle) will quickly dispatch any enemies at a low energy state (hopefully distracted by fighting someone else). Use your superior speed in the cluster and launch your ordinance then zoom back up (the [[Boom & Zoom]] strategy). When you have expended your missiles, use your 30 mm ADENs as they are VERY destructive and typically only one shell is enough to critically damage or destroy any aircraft they come in contact with.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent speed advantage when in rank IV matches
* Gets down-tiered most of the time due to rank IV placement
* AIM-9Es are very good due to high speed, 10G manoeuvrability and up to (around) 4 km range from the rear
* 30 mm ADEN cannons are devastating to aircraft and ground targets with a good ammo pool and high fire rate

'''Cons:'''

* High speed manoeuvrability is bad due to locking up from about 1000 km/h onwards
* Low level pilot can pass out instantly from pulling 3G's from about 700 km/h, requires upgrades in G-Tolerance and Stamina to perform well
* MiG-21SMTs & MFs will ruin you due to good turn rate and very high speeds - they are problematic at high altitudes as the {{PAGENAME}} has a non-afterburning engine while the MiG's R-60M missiles will easily out-pull the Hunter every time if they acquire a strong lock (the only way to dodge is to use full elevator and aileron controls as soon as the "Missile has been launched" warning is shown)

== History ==


Towards the end of the 1950s, the Royal Air Force was faced with the increasing obsolescence of the [[Venom_FB.4|De Havilland Venom FB.4]] in the ground attack role. At the time, the Venom was still in use as a Close Air Support aircraft both in South East Asia and the Middle East; especially in the Aden Emergency it was intensely used, and as a result, a replacement was urgently required. In 1958 the Royal Air Force started the Venom Replacement Evaluation Trials (VRET), selecting the Royal Air Force bases of RAF Khormaksar (Aden) with its long paved runway, and RAF Riyan (Quaiti State, Eastern Aden Protectorate) with its unhardened airstrip as trials bases.

For the VRET, three types were selected: the Hunting Jet Provost T.3; the Folland Gnat F.1; and last but not least, the [[Hunter_F.6|Hawker Hunter F.6]]. Before the trials began, the Folland Gnat was considered the forerunner, while the Hawker Hunter was initially not even considered for the trials, as the type was thought to be uneconomical for use in the Middle East, however, this decision was overturned after intense lobbying by Hawker. Early on during the trials, it became clear that the Hunting Jet Provost was not able to fulfil any of the requirements set by the trials, and while the type would go on to be developed into the successful BAC Strikemaster, it was eliminated from the contest. The trials had become a straight contest between the Hunter and the Gnat.

Early on, the Folland appeared to be a clear favourite: above 40,000 ft it was more manoeuvrable than the Hunter, and its diminutive size made it a difficult target to spot and aim at. Additionally, it required only a minimum of external equipment to operate it from unprepared airstrips. However, the diminutive size of the Gnat also worked in its disadvantage: its relative short landing gear gave the aircraft unpleasant characteristics on unpaved airstrips, and its relatively low-set exhaust damaged the runway surface. However, the main problem for the Gnat was that it was unable to meet range requirements. Fully loaded for combat it had a range of 188 nm, which fell short of the 250 nm requirement set up in the VRET; with external tanks, its maximum ferry range was 673 nm, which was insufficient to ferry it between the Royal Air Force's main Middle East Air Force bases. At the end of the trials, the Hunter came out as the winner on all points except agility above 40,000 ft.

Following the trials, conversion work was started to bring the Hunter F.6 up to full ground attack standard, the FGA.9 (for Fighter Ground Attack). The wing spars were restressed and strengthened, a brake chute was added in a housing above the exhaust for use on unprepared airstrips, the flight controls were adjusted to give a better response at low altitude, and the oxygen supply was increased; as the FGA.9 was primarily intended for use in the Middle East, the aircraft were also given a tropicalised refrigeration and ventilation system. New drop tanks were designed for the inner wing hardpoints, capable of carrying 230 gallons (instead of the 100-gallon drop tanks in use up to then); as they were larger, a cut-out was made in the flaps so they could be extended while carrying the new tanks. Initially, these tanks were fixed and intended for ferry use only, but gradually they were redesigned so they could be jettisonable and used in combat. The first Hunter FGA.9 made its maiden flight on July 3rd 1959. The initial batch was built to 'interim' FGA.9 with an Avon 203 which provided 10,000 lb thrust; the production variant was equipped with an Avon 207 which provided 10,050 lb thrust.

Around the time the Hunter FGA.9 started entering RAF service in 1960, the Hunter F.6 was considered obsolete as a day fighter with the impending service entry of the English Electric Lightning. As a result, many Hunter F.6 airframes were taken back by Hunter for a rebuild to the FGA.9 standard. In all, 144 Hunter F.6s were rebuild to FGA.9 standard. A dedicated reconnaissance variant was also developed out of the FGA.9: the FR.10 had the same capabilities as the FGA.9, except for the adjusted flight controls, its main difference being a set of reconnaissance cameras in a new nose.

In Royal Air Force service, the Hunter FGA.9 was first deployed in Aden in 1960, where it replaced the obsolete Venom; it was used during the Radfan Emergency to attack insurgent forces. During the Borneo Confrontation of 1963-1966, RAF Hunter FGA.9s were used in counter-insurgency operations. The withdrawal from the Royal Air Force from its former protectorates in the late 1960s saw the need for these ground-attack Hunters disappear; the last frontline RAF Hunter FGA.9 unit was disbanded in 1971, however, the type remained in RAF service as an advanced trainer until the 1980s, with trainer variants remaining in RAF service until the early 1990s.

The Hunter FGA.9 variant also became the basis of numerous close air support variants intended for export. This was partly possible due to the disbanding of numerous RAF day fighter units following the 1957 Defence White Paper, and partly due to the early retirement of the Hawker Hunter F.6 in Belgian (1963) and Dutch (1968) service. This released several hundreds of Hunter F.6 airframes which could be rebuilt to FGA standard. Dedicated 'national' variants were built for India (FGA.56), Kuwait (FGA.57), Switzerland (F.58A), Iraq (FGA.59), Lebanon (FGA.70), Chile (FGA.71), Jordan (FGA.73), Singapore (FGA.75), Abu Dhabi (FGA.76), Qatar (FGA.78) and Kenya (FGA.80). Additionally, numerous ex-Royal Air Force FGA.9 airframes were refurbished by Hunter for export.

In foreign service, the Hawker Hunter had a considerably long life. It was relatively easy to maintain type, which could be deployed quickly if needed. In the absence of aerial threats, it was an excellent ground attack aircraft, making it suited for low-intensity conflict and counter-insurgency operations. Many aircraft were locally modified to carry a wide variety of ordonnance: some air forces such as those of Switzerland and Singapore modified theirs to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder; in their ultimate guise, Swiss Air Force Hunters were even capable of firing the AGM-65 Maverick. Most aircraft were withdrawn from frontline service in the 1990s, with Switzerland being the last Western nation to withdraw the type from frontline service in 1994. The Indian Air Force was the last major user of the type, withdrawing the last of its Hunters in 2000; the last nation to withdraw the Hunter from frontline military service was Lebanon, retiring the Hunter in 2014. Even so, a handful of Hunters remain in limited military service: as of 2019, ATAC in the United States, Apache Aviation in France, Hawker Hunter Aviation in the UK and Lortie Aviation in Canada operate a number of civilianised Hawker Hunters under government military contracts to provide high-speed aerial threat simulation, mission support training and trials support services.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* Hawker [[Sea_Hawk_FGA.6|Sea Hawk]]
* Hawker [[Hunter F 1]]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Dassault [[Super Mystere B2|Super Mystère]]
* Mikoyan [[MiG-17]]
* North American [[F-100D|F-100]] Super Sabre
* North American [[FJ-4B]] Fury

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Hawker}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}
{{Britain premium aircraft}}

15cm sIG 33 B Sfl

2020-02-21T03:07:03Z

U84825696: /* Usage in battles */

{{Specs-Card|code=germ_sturmpanzer_II}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German tank destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.67 "Assault"]]. Based on the Panzer II chassis, it mounted a 150 millimeter cannon and was used during the North African campaign.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===

The Sturmpanzer II does have enough armour to stop low BR tank rounds, however it should not be relied upon to stop High Velocity or High Penetration rounds, especially from other SPGs. It is an open topped vehicle, and since it has no machine guns, it is very vulnerable to air attack.

Despite having very little armor, it does have a lot of empty space in the tank to resist multiple penetrating hits before being destroyed. However, it is hull-breakable against 75mm or larger guns with sufficient AP velocity or HEAT capability.

=== Mobility ===


{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 220|rbMinHp= 137|}}

The Sturmpanzer II can go up to 45 km/h, but due to the low power-to-weight ratio of 17.04 hp/ton in AB and 9.74 hp/ton in RB, the practical top speed is significantly less. Reverse speed is decent, up to -8.4 km/h.

== Armaments ==
=== Main armament ===

{{main|SIG 33 (150 mm)}}

The Sturmpanzer II mounts an S.I.G. 33 Infantry Support cannon, which can fire HEAT or HE rounds. The shell velocity is very slow (240m/s), so slow that it can be awkward to target moving targets or those at long ranges, especially with HE rounds. The calibre of the gun is 15 cm (150 mm/5.9 in). The Sturmpanzer does not have any other weapons.

The J.Gr.38 HE shell penetrates 65 mm against vertical armour and 60 mm against armour sloped back 60 degrees from vertical (30 degrees from horizontal), due to it having similar mechanics to naval Guns of the same calibre. The 8.6 kg explosive mass ensures that anything that gets penetrated is instantly knocked out or is so badly crippled that a follow-up shot is guaranteed.

- Note: the HE on this is so powerful that it can even one-shot top rank tanks reliably, but due to the huge mobility disadvantage, this is not recommended unless you know exactly what you are getting yourself into.

The J.Gr.39 HI/A HEAT shell penetrates 185 mm against vertical armor and still has a 4.16 kg TNT equivalent of explosives behind it, giving it effectively 40-45 mm penetration from the explosion splash on top of the HEAT superplastic copper jet penetration. In one of the minor updates of the game, 120mm and larger HEAT rounds were altered to act more like HE shells to benefit top rank vehicles - tanks such as the Sturmpanzer are unintentional beneficiaries of this change.

== Usage in battles ==


The Sturmpanzer has no air defence weapons, so sticking with an SPAA tank at the back of the map is a good idea. If you want to close-range brawl with low tier tanks, then sticking with another tank is a good idea since the long reload will cause you trouble if you get swarmed by lots of tanks. It has the capability to knock out much higher BR tank, so if you're up-tiered, it's not the end of the world. However shoot before your opponent shoots, because if you come across a higher tier tank, you will be eliminated almost instantaneously. The best thing to do is to fire, then fall back to reload in a safe haven. Try to get in an advantageous position at the start of the match, while being covered by friendly vehicles. Try facing down a street while partly in cover. The Sturmpanzer is a relatively small vehicle so many beginning players will not notice you if only part of your vehicle is exposed. Wait for an easy target to turn onto the street you are looking at and erase them from existence *REMEMBER THE EXTREME DROP OF THE HOWITZER WHEN FIRING*. Always fire above where you think is correct... it is very easy to underestimate the drop, but a hit almost anywhere will result in a sudden, violent return to the hangar for any vehicle at the BR.

Due to the huge HE splash ability and sheer calibre of the gun, it can even be used to hull break high-rank IFVs - BMP-1s at 7.3 are especially common to encounter. It does the same thing to BMP-2s, M3 Bradleys, Warriors, Centauros, and many other vehicles. The HE splash, however, is strong enough that it can one-shot the light, but non-hull-breakable vehicles such as the M41A1 Bulldog, any AMX-13 variation, Crusaders in lower ranks, and many others. Purposely up-tiering it can be a very effective way to earn Silver Lions with the "God Mode!" award - destroying an enemy vehicle 5.0 BR ranks higher (BR 7.0+) than you which nets 20,000 Silver Lions.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Has the most powerful gun in the game at its rank
* Excels when up-tiered, only starts to become obsolete when newer main battle tanks arrive
* Can survive hits it will take from rank 1 tanks
* Can make a fair turn at speed when driving along
* Low profile and small front make it easy to hide and easy to camouflage with bushes
* Speedy for its size and gun calibre

'''Cons:'''

* Reload means it is inadequate for close-range combat without allied support
* HE and HEAT are both stopped by various soft debris found on most maps such as fences, concrete blocks, brick walls, wood objects, etc.
* Open-topped and very vulnerable to aircraft as a result
* Very slow at turning
* Limited firing arc

== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== Encyclopedia Info ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Germany tank destroyers}}

Vampire F.B.5

2020-02-20T06:21:55Z

U84825696: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card|code=vampire_fb5}}
{{About
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other version
| link = Vampire FB 52A
}}
== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.33]].

== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===

When using the Vampire, the first thing a pilot should know is that it is inferior in most aspects to its opposition, thus requiring constant vigilance and consciousness of weakness. The Vampire cannot reach the speeds a [[MiG-9]] or an [[F2H-2]] can, it cannot accelerate as well as many of its counterparts and it is appalling in a dive against most of its opponents. So, essentially, the "Vamp" cannot climb well, it can't catch many jets in a straight line and it can't out-accelerate much of its opposition. However, the Vampire has one impressive advantage against its jet-powered opponents: it can turn incredibly well. In fact, a good analogy to flying the Vampire is fighting jets in propeller aircraft.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 4,572 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 817 || 792 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.0 || 25.7 || 16.1 || 15.1 || rowspan="2" | 650
|-
! Upgraded
| 895 || 855 || 23.5 || 24.0 || 24.4 || 20.0
|-
|}

====Details====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 520 || 520 || 300 || ~10 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 550 || < 600 || < 600 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | Empty mass || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | de Haviland Goblin II || 1
| colspan="2" | 3,385 kg || colspan="3" | 190 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 39m fuel
|-
| 705 kg || colspan="2" | Centrifugal-flow turbojet
| 3,734 kg || 4,014 kg || 4,325 kg || 4,605 kg || 5,606 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 39m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 1,290 kgf || N/A
| 0.35 || 0.32 || 0.30 || 0.28 || 0.23
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 1,290 kgf (0 km/h) || N/A
| 0.35 || 0.32 || 0.30 || 0.28 || 0.23
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Armored windscreen
* 12.7 mm Steel - Armor plate behind the pilot's head
* 3 mm Steel - Armor plate under the engine

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|Hispano Mk.V (20 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannons, chin-mounted (150 rpg = 600 total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|G.P. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb)|RP-3}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* Without load
* 2 x 1,000 lb G.P. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 8 x 76 mm RP-3 rockets

== Usage in battles ==


In order to be able to use the de Havilland Vampire's turning power, one should worry about one's energy state. To do such, climbing is important, as is maintaining airspeed. One should never risk being below 400 km/h since having little speed makes it incredibly hard to evade any attacks by faster aircraft. As such, climbing at speeds above 400 km/h IAS is a healthy option - altitude provides manoeuvring space and more options for manoeuvres, whilst keeping a certain speed means that the pilot is ready at all times to manoeuvre against an enemy. Once an enemy is spotted, gaining speed is the best choice, since the lack of it means the Vampire will become every pilot's nightmare - low, slow and un-manoeuvrable.

Its extreme manoeuvrability for a jet means, however, that lining up for a shot is an easy task when an enemy is flying near and when an inexperienced or frustrated enemy jet falls into the trap of turning tightly against the Vampire, it will likely end up destroyed. Aiming the guns might be a challenge at first for inexperienced Vampire pilots since their placement below the centre of gravity makes the Vampire's nose shift downward while firing. Pilots should be aware that turning too much can leave them vulnerable to other enemy aircraft due to the significant loss of speed, so they should never commit to a dogfight if more enemies are lurking nearby.

===Manual Engine Control===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
|-
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
! colspan="3" | Radiator
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
|-
! Oil
! Water
! Type
|-
| Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable Not auto controlled || rowspan="2" | Not controllable Not auto controlled || rowspan="2" | Not controllable Not auto controlled || rowspan="2" | Combined || rowspan="2" | Not controllable 1 gear || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
|-
|}

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="1" | Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! colspan="1" | Survivability
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
|
|
| Offensive 20 mm
|
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
|
| GLBC mk.3
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| Engine
|
| New 20 mm cannons
|
|-
| IV
| G-suit
|
| Cover
|
| GRC mk.8
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good armament, 4 x chin-mounted 20 mm Hispano Mk.V's
* Great control responsiveness up to medium-high speeds, combat flaps to increase this
* Great manoeuvrability
* Capable air-brakes that increase lift when activated
* Decent payload options
* Lack of single vertical tail section makes spotting planes from the cockpit much easier
* Good glider, can get back to base from a reasonable distance away if the engine is knocked out (depending on speed and altitude)

'''Cons:'''

* Low top speed and acceleration (acceleration can be improved with research)
* Weapons are placed below the centre of mass, forcing the pilot to aim higher
* Vulnerable tail section, especially easy to hit when taking off it not careful
* Poor dive rate
* Reflective silver camouflage comes to default, making spotting you much easier from above
* Hispanos run out of ammunition quickly due to high rate of fire.

== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== Encyclopedia Info ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

=== In-game description ===
The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a single engine jet fighter which entered service with the RAF in 1946. Designed to Air Ministry specification F.6/41, the demand was for a fighter with a maximum speed in excess of 500 mph and a combat radius of at least 300 miles. The twin tail boom layout design allowed a short tailpipe from the powerplant, a de Havilland Goblin centrifugal turbojet. This limited the loss of thrust and reduced overall weight. Also of note in the design was the use of plywood and balsa wood in the construction of the cockpit section; de Havilland already had experience of using wood in the construction of high performance aircraft.

Preliminary flight testing in September 1943 proved to be a success, with modifications made to the rudder to reduce drag and increase stability. The third prototype aircraft was also fitted with the planned standard armament of four 20mm Hispano cannon. In May 1944 an order for 120 aircraft was placed, and the first production Vampire F.Mk.I made its maiden flight in April 1945; the Vampire briefly held the record as the fastest British jet fighter with a top speed of 540 mph. No.247 Squadron was the first unit to be equipped with the Vampire in March 1946, shortly followed by No.54 and No.72 Squadrons to form the first Vampire Wing at RAF Chilbolton. In 1948 Vampires were employed by the 2nd Tactical Air Force based in Germany. A specially modified Vampire again hit the record books when it achieved a world altitude record of 59,446 feet.

1948 also saw the first testing of the FB.Mk.5. This was initially a modified Vampire F.3 with a strengthened and clipped wing, increased armor and greater ground clearance for the carrying of external ordnance. This fighter-bomber variant of the Vampire was capable of carrying up to 2000 lbs of bombs or 60 lb rockets, and went on to equip 40 squadrons within the RAF as well as being the first RAF jets to operate in the Far East. The Vampire FB.Mk.5 was used operationally in ground attack missions against insurgents in Malaya until it was replaced by the Venom in 1953. The FB.Mk.5 was also used as the basis for the Royal Navy’s Sea Vampire F.Mk.20 which, fitted with an arrestor hook, long travel landing gear and larger wing flaps, entered service with the Fleet Air Arm in June 1949. A popular export fighter, just under 3300 Vampires were built - many under license overseas.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer deHavilland}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}

Hunter FGA.9

2020-02-06T06:25:18Z

U84825696: PROS&CONS

{{Specs-Card
|code=hunter_f9_rhodesia
|store=7212
}}
{{About
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Hunter (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.93 "Shark Attack"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,138 || 1,133 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.5 || 26.3 || 53.6 || 46.6 || rowspan="2" | 820
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,158 || 1,148 || 24.6 || 25.0 || 88.8 || 70.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 620 || 620|| 465 || ~14 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 850 || < 600 || < 690 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="3" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="1" | Empty mass || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.207 || 1
| colspan="1" | 6,110 kg || colspan="2" | 237 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="2" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel
|-
| 1,175 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 6,510 kg || 7,487 kg || 10,900 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="3" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 4m fuel || 14m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 4,272 kgf || N/A
| 0.67 || 0.57 || 0.39
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 4,991 kgf (1,100 km/h) || N/A
| 0.77 || 0.66 || 0.46
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|ADEN (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is outfitted with the following offensive ordnance:

* 4 x 30 mm ADEN autocannons, nose-mounted (150 RPG, 600 rounds total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|H.E. M.C. Mk.II (500 lb)|M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb)|SNEB type 23|AIM-9E}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following suspended ordnance:

* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 4 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs + 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M. C. Mk.II bombs + 36 SNEB type 23 unguided rockets
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 36 SNEB type 23 unguided rockets
* 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder air-to-air missiles

== Usage in battles ==


Side rush and burst climb, then enter the main cluster of aircraft in the middle (ideally with a height advantage). Your AIM 9E's (if you choose to bring them into battle) will quickly dispatch any enemies at a low energy state (hopefully distracted by fighting someone else). Use your superior speed in the cluster and launch your ordinance then zoom back up (the [[Boom & Zoom]] strategy). When you have expended your missiles, use your 30 mm ADENs as they are VERY destructive and typically only one shell is enough to critically damage or destroy any aircraft they come in contact with.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent speed advantage when in rank IV matches
* Gets down-tiered most of the time due to rank IV placement
* AIM-9Es are very good due to high speed, 10G manoeuvrability and up to (around) 4 km range from the rear
* 30mm ADEN cannons are devastating to aircraft and ground targets with a good ammo pool and high fire rate.

'''Cons:'''

* High speed manoeuvrability is bad due to locking up from about 1000km/h onwards
* Low level pilot can pass out instantly from pulling 3G's from about 700km/h, requires upgrades in G-Tolerance and Stamina to perform well.
* MiG-21SMTs & MFs will ruin you due to good turn rate and very high speeds. You will have trouble fighting at high altitudes due to a non-afterburning engine. Their R-60M missiles will pretty much out-pull you every time if they aquire a strong lock. The only way to dodge them is to use full elevator and aileron controls as soon as you see or hear the "Missile has been launched" warning.

== History ==


Towards the end of the 1950s, the Royal Air Force was faced with the increasing obsolescence of the [[Venom_FB.4|De Havilland Venom FB.4]] in the ground attack role. At the time, the Venom was still in use as a Close Air Support aircraft both in South East Asia and the Middle East; especially in the Aden Emergency it was intensely used, and as a result, a replacement was urgently required. In 1958 the Royal Air Force started the Venom Replacement Evaluation Trials (VRET), selecting the Royal Air Force bases of RAF Khormaksar (Aden) with its long paved runway, and RAF Riyan (Quaiti State, Eastern Aden Protectorate) with its unhardened airstrip as trials bases.

For the VRET, three types were selected: the Hunting Jet Provost T.3; the Folland Gnat F.1; and last but not least, the [[Hunter_F.6|Hawker Hunter F.6]]. Before the trials began, the Folland Gnat was considered the forerunner, while the Hawker Hunter was initially not even considered for the trials, as the type was thought to be uneconomical for use in the Middle East, however, this decision was overturned after intense lobbying by Hawker. Early on during the trials, it became clear that the Hunting Jet Provost was not able to fulfil any of the requirements set by the trials, and while the type would go on to be developed into the successful BAC Strikemaster, it was eliminated from the contest. The trials had become a straight contest between the Hunter and the Gnat.

Early on, the Folland appeared to be a clear favourite: above 40,000 ft it was more manoeuvrable than the Hunter, and its diminutive size made it a difficult target to spot and aim at. Additionally, it required only a minimum of external equipment to operate it from unprepared airstrips. However, the diminutive size of the Gnat also worked in its disadvantage: its relative short landing gear gave the aircraft unpleasant characteristics on unpaved airstrips, and its relatively low-set exhaust damaged the runway surface. However, the main problem for the Gnat was that it was unable to meet range requirements. Fully loaded for combat it had a range of 188 nm, which fell short of the 250 nm requirement set up in the VRET; with external tanks, its maximum ferry range was 673 nm, which was insufficient to ferry it between the Royal Air Force's main Middle East Air Force bases. At the end of the trials, the Hunter came out as the winner on all points except agility above 40,000 ft.

Following the trials, conversion work was started to bring the Hunter F.6 up to full ground attack standard, the FGA.9 (for Fighter Ground Attack). The wing spars were restressed and strengthened, a brake chute was added in a housing above the exhaust for use on unprepared airstrips, the flight controls were adjusted to give a better response at low altitude, and the oxygen supply was increased; as the FGA.9 was primarily intended for use in the Middle East, the aircraft were also given a tropicalised refrigeration and ventilation system. New drop tanks were designed for the inner wing hardpoints, capable of carrying 230 gallons (instead of the 100-gallon drop tanks in use up to then); as they were larger, a cut-out was made in the flaps so they could be extended while carrying the new tanks. Initially, these tanks were fixed and intended for ferry use only, but gradually they were redesigned so they could be jettisonable and used in combat. The first Hunter FGA.9 made its maiden flight on July 3rd 1959. The initial batch was built to 'interim' FGA.9 with an Avon 203 which provided 10,000 lb thrust; the production variant was equipped with an Avon 207 which provided 10,050 lb thrust.

Around the time the Hunter FGA.9 started entering RAF service in 1960, the Hunter F.6 was considered obsolete as a day fighter with the impending service entry of the English Electric Lightning. As a result, many Hunter F.6 airframes were taken back by Hunter for a rebuild to the FGA.9 standard. In all, 144 Hunter F.6s were rebuild to FGA.9 standard. A dedicated reconnaissance variant was also developed out of the FGA.9: the FR.10 had the same capabilities as the FGA.9, except for the adjusted flight controls, its main difference being a set of reconnaissance cameras in a new nose.

In Royal Air Force service, the Hunter FGA.9 was first deployed in Aden in 1960, where it replaced the obsolete Venom; it was used during the Radfan Emergency to attack insurgent forces. During the Borneo Confrontation of 1963-1966, RAF Hunter FGA.9s were used in counter-insurgency operations. The withdrawal from the Royal Air Force from its former protectorates in the late 1960s saw the need for these ground-attack Hunters disappear; the last frontline RAF Hunter FGA.9 unit was disbanded in 1971, however, the type remained in RAF service as an advanced trainer until the 1980s, with trainer variants remaining in RAF service until the early 1990s.

The Hunter FGA.9 variant also became the basis of numerous close air support variants intended for export. This was partly possible due to the disbanding of numerous RAF day fighter units following the 1957 Defence White Paper, and partly due to the early retirement of the Hawker Hunter F.6 in Belgian (1963) and Dutch (1968) service. This released several hundreds of Hunter F.6 airframes which could be rebuilt to FGA standard. Dedicated 'national' variants were built for India (FGA.56), Kuwait (FGA.57), Switzerland (F.58A), Iraq (FGA.59), Lebanon (FGA.70), Chile (FGA.71), Jordan (FGA.73), Singapore (FGA.75), Abu Dhabi (FGA.76), Qatar (FGA.78) and Kenya (FGA.80). Additionally, numerous ex-Royal Air Force FGA.9 airframes were refurbished by Hunter for export.

In foreign service, the Hawker Hunter had a considerably long life. It was relatively easy to maintain type, which could be deployed quickly if needed. In the absence of aerial threats, it was an excellent ground attack aircraft, making it suited for low-intensity conflict and counter-insurgency operations. Many aircraft were locally modified to carry a wide variety of ordonnance: some air forces such as those of Switzerland and Singapore modified theirs to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder; in their ultimate guise, Swiss Air Force Hunters were even capable of firing the AGM-65 Maverick. Most aircraft were withdrawn from frontline service in the 1990s, with Switzerland being the last Western nation to withdraw the type from frontline service in 1994. The Indian Air Force was the last major user of the type, withdrawing the last of its Hunters in 2000; the last nation to withdraw the Hunter from frontline military service was Lebanon, retiring the Hunter in 2014. Even so, a handful of Hunters remain in limited military service: as of 2019, ATAC in the United States, Apache Aviation in France, Hawker Hunter Aviation in the UK and Lortie Aviation in Canada operate a number of civilianised Hawker Hunters under government military contracts to provide high-speed aerial threat simulation, mission support training and trials support services.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* Hawker [[Sea_Hawk_FGA.6|Sea Hawk]]
* Hawker [[Hunter F 1]]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Dassault [[Super Mystere B2|Super Mystère]]
* Mikoyan [[MiG-17]]
* North American [[F-100D|F-100]] Super Sabre
* North American [[FJ-4B]] Fury

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Hawker}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}
{{Britain premium aircraft}}

Hunter FGA.9

2020-01-03T07:41:25Z

U84825696: Armaments

{{Specs-Card
|code=hunter_f9_rhodesia
|store=7212
}}
{{About
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Hunter (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.93 "Shark Attack"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - at sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
| 1,138 km/h || 1,133 km/h || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.5s || 26.3s || 53.6 m/s || 46.6 m/s || 820
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - at sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
| 1,158 km/h || 1,148 km/h || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 24.6s || 25.0s || 88.8 m/s || 70.0 m/s || 820
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 620 || ~14 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 850 || < 600 || < 690 || N/A
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 0 m || 4,230 kgf || N/A
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|ADEN (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is outfitted with the following offensive ordnance:

* 4 x 30 mm ADEN autocannons (Nose Mounted, 150 RPG, 600 rounds total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|H.E. M.C. Mk.II (500 lb)|M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb)|SNEB type 23|AIM-9E}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following suspended ordnance:

* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 4 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs + 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M. C. Mk.II bombs + 36 SNEB type 23 unguided rockets
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 36 SNEB type 23 unguided rockets
* 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder air-to-air missiles

== Usage in battles ==


Side rush and burst climb, then enter the main cluster of aircraft in the middle (ideally with a height advantage). Your AIM 9E's (if you choose to bring them into battle) will quickly dispatch any enemies at a low energy state (hopefully distracted by fighting someone else). Use your superior speed in the cluster and launch your ordinance then zoom back up (the [[Boom & Zoom]] strategy). When you have expended your missiles, use your 30 mm ADENs as they are VERY destructive and typically only one shell is enough to critically damage or destroy any aircraft they come in contact with.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent speed advantage when in rank IV matches
* Gets down-tiered most of the time due to rank IV placement
* AIM-9Es are very good due to high speed, 10G manoeuvrability and up to (around) 4 km range from the rear

'''Cons:'''

* High speed manoeuvrability is bad due to locking up from about 1000km/h onwards
* Low level pilot can pass out instantly from pulling 3G's from about 700km/h, requires upgrades in G-Tolerance and Stamina to preform

== History ==


Towards the end of the 1950s, the Royal Air Force was faced with the increasing obsolescence of the [[Venom_FB.4|De Havilland Venom FB.4]] in the ground attack role. At the time, the Venom was still in use as a Close Air Support aircraft both in South East Asia and the Middle East; especially in the Aden Emergency it was intensely used, and as a result, a replacement was urgently required. In 1958 the Royal Air Force started the Venom Replacement Evaluation Trials (VRET), selecting the Royal Air Force bases of RAF Khormaksar (Aden) with its long paved runway, and RAF Riyan (Quaiti State, Eastern Aden Protectorate) with its unhardened airstrip as trials bases.

For the VRET, three types were selected: the Hunting Jet Provost T.3; the Folland Gnat F.1; and last but not least, the [[Hunter_F.6|Hawker Hunter F.6]]. Before the trials began, the Folland Gnat was considered the forerunner, while the Hawker Hunter was initially not even considered for the trials, as the type was thought to be uneconomical for use in the Middle East, however, this decision was overturned after intense lobbying by Hawker. Early on during the trials, it became clear that the Hunting Jet Provost was not able to fulfil any of the requirements set by the trials, and while the type would go on to be developed into the successful BAC Strikemaster, it was eliminated from the contest. The trials had become a straight contest between the Hunter and the Gnat.

Early on, the Folland appeared to be a clear favourite: above 40,000 ft it was more manoeuvrable than the Hunter, and its diminutive size made it a difficult target to spot and aim at. Additionally, it required only a minimum of external equipment to operate it from unprepared airstrips. However, the diminutive size of the Gnat also worked in its disadvantage: its relative short landing gear gave the aircraft unpleasant characteristics on unpaved airstrips, and its relatively low-set exhaust damaged the runway surface. However, the main problem for the Gnat was that it was unable to meet range requirements. Fully loaded for combat it had a range of 188 nm, which fell short of the 250 nm requirement set up in the VRET; with external tanks, its maximum ferry range was 673 nm, which was insufficient to ferry it between the Royal Air Force's main Middle East Air Force bases. At the end of the trials, the Hunter came out as the winner on all points except agility above 40,000 ft.

Following the trials, conversion work was started to bring the Hunter F.6 up to full ground attack standard, the FGA.9 (for Fighter Ground Attack). The wing spars were restressed and strengthened, a brake chute was added in a housing above the exhaust for use on unprepared airstrips, the flight controls were adjusted to give a better response at low altitude, and the oxygen supply was increased; as the FGA.9 was primarily intended for use in the Middle East, the aircraft were also given a tropicalised refrigeration and ventilation system. New drop tanks were designed for the inner wing hardpoints, capable of carrying 230 gallons (instead of the 100-gallon drop tanks in use up to then); as they were larger, a cut-out was made in the flaps so they could be extended while carrying the new tanks. Initially, these tanks were fixed and intended for ferry use only, but gradually they were redesigned so they could be jettisonable and used in combat. The first Hunter FGA.9 made its maiden flight on July 3rd 1959. The initial batch was built to 'interim' FGA.9 with an Avon 203 which provided 10,000 lb thrust; the production variant was equipped with an Avon 207 which provided 10,050 lb thrust.

Around the time the Hunter FGA.9 started entering RAF service in 1960, the Hunter F.6 was considered obsolete as a day fighter with the impending service entry of the English Electric Lightning. As a result, many Hunter F.6 airframes were taken back by Hunter for a rebuild to the FGA.9 standard. In all, 144 Hunter F.6s were rebuild to FGA.9 standard. A dedicated reconnaissance variant was also developed out of the FGA.9: the FR.10 had the same capabilities as the FGA.9, except for the adjusted flight controls, its main difference being a set of reconnaissance cameras in a new nose.

In Royal Air Force service, the Hunter FGA.9 was first deployed in Aden in 1960, where it replaced the obsolete Venom; it was used during the Radfan Emergency to attack insurgent forces. During the Borneo Confrontation of 1963-1966, RAF Hunter FGA.9s were used in counter-insurgency operations. The withdrawal from the Royal Air Force from its former protectorates in the late 1960s saw the need for these ground-attack Hunters disappear; the last frontline RAF Hunter FGA.9 unit was disbanded in 1971, however, the type remained in RAF service as an advanced trainer until the 1980s, with trainer variants remaining in RAF service until the early 1990s.

The Hunter FGA.9 variant also became the basis of numerous close air support variants intended for export. This was partly possible due to the disbanding of numerous RAF day fighter units following the 1957 Defence White Paper, and partly due to the early retirement of the Hawker Hunter F.6 in Belgian (1963) and Dutch (1968) service. This released several hundreds of Hunter F.6 airframes which could be rebuilt to FGA standard. Dedicated 'national' variants were built for India (FGA.56), Kuwait (FGA.57), Switzerland (F.58A), Iraq (FGA.59), Lebanon (FGA.70), Chile (FGA.71), Jordan (FGA.73), Singapore (FGA.75), Abu Dhabi (FGA.76), Qatar (FGA.78) and Kenya (FGA.80). Additionally, numerous ex-Royal Air Force FGA.9 airframes were refurbished by Hunter for export.

In foreign service, the Hawker Hunter had a considerably long life. It was relatively easy to maintain type, which could be deployed quickly if needed. In the absence of aerial threats, it was an excellent ground attack aircraft, making it suited for low-intensity conflict and counter-insurgency operations. Many aircraft were locally modified to carry a wide variety of ordonnance: some air forces such as those of Switzerland and Singapore modified theirs to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder; in their ultimate guise, Swiss Air Force Hunters were even capable of firing the AGM-65 Maverick. Most aircraft were withdrawn from frontline service in the 1990s, with Switzerland being the last Western nation to withdraw the type from frontline service in 1994. The Indian Air Force was the last major user of the type, withdrawing the last of its Hunters in 2000; the last nation to withdraw the Hunter from frontline military service was Lebanon, retiring the Hunter in 2014. Even so, a handful of Hunters remain in limited military service: as of 2019, ATAC in the United States, Apache Aviation in France, Hawker Hunter Aviation in the UK and Lortie Aviation in Canada operate a number of civilianised Hawker Hunters under government military contracts to provide high-speed aerial threat simulation, mission support training and trials support services.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* Hawker [[Sea_Hawk_FGA.6|Sea Hawk]]
* Hawker [[Hunter F 1]]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Dassault [[Super Mystere B2|Super Mystère]]
* Mikoyan [[MiG-17]]
* North American [[F-100D|F-100]] Super Sabre
* North American [[FJ-4B]] Fury

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Hawker}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}
{{Britain premium aircraft}}

Hunter FGA.9

2020-01-03T07:39:08Z

U84825696: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card
|code=hunter_f9_rhodesia
|store=7212
}}
{{About
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Hunter (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.93 "Shark Attack"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - at sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
| 1,138 km/h || 1,133 km/h || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.5s || 26.3s || 53.6 m/s || 46.6 m/s || 820
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - at sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
| 1,158 km/h || 1,148 km/h || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 24.6s || 25.0s || 88.8 m/s || 70.0 m/s || 820
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 620 || ~14 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 850 || < 600 || < 690 || N/A
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 0 m || 4,230 kgf || N/A
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|ADEN (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is outfitted with the following offensive ordnance:

* 4 x 30 mm ADEN autocannons (150 RPG, 600 rounds total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|H.E. M.C. Mk.II (500 lb)|M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb)|SNEB type 23|AIM-9E}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following suspended ordnance:

* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 4 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs + 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M. C. Mk.II bombs + 36 SNEB type 23 unguided rockets
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 36 SNEB type 23 unguided rockets
* 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder air-to-air missiles

== Usage in battles ==


Side rush and burst climb, then enter the main cluster of aircraft in the middle (ideally with a height advantage). Your AIM 9E's (if you choose to bring them into battle) will quickly dispatch any enemies at a low energy state (hopefully distracted by fighting someone else). Use your superior speed in the cluster and launch your ordinance then zoom back up (the [[Boom & Zoom]] strategy). When you have expended your missiles, use your 30 mm ADENs as they are VERY destructive and typically only one shell is enough to critically damage or destroy any aircraft they come in contact with.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent speed advantage when in rank V matches and against <9.7
* Gets down-tiered most of the time due to rank V placement
* AIM-9Es are very good due to high speed, 10G manoeuvrability and up to (around) 4 km range from the rear
*Your missiles and guns (nose mounted) are more than a match for F4Cs
'''Cons:'''

* High speed manoeuvrability is bad due to locking up from about 1000km/h onwards
* Low level pilot can pass out instantly from pulling 3G's from about 700km/h, requires upgrades in G-Tolerance and Stamina to preform
* Poor low speed manoeuvreability
*In 10.3 matches your speed is not comparable to F4Cs and MiG-21s

== History ==


Towards the end of the 1950s, the Royal Air Force was faced with the increasing obsolescence of the [[Venom_FB.4|De Havilland Venom FB.4]] in the ground attack role. At the time, the Venom was still in use as a Close Air Support aircraft both in South East Asia and the Middle East; especially in the Aden Emergency it was intensely used, and as a result, a replacement was urgently required. In 1958 the Royal Air Force started the Venom Replacement Evaluation Trials (VRET), selecting the Royal Air Force bases of RAF Khormaksar (Aden) with its long paved runway, and RAF Riyan (Quaiti State, Eastern Aden Protectorate) with its unhardened airstrip as trials bases.

For the VRET, three types were selected: the Hunting Jet Provost T.3; the Folland Gnat F.1; and last but not least, the [[Hunter_F.6|Hawker Hunter F.6]]. Before the trials began, the Folland Gnat was considered the forerunner, while the Hawker Hunter was initially not even considered for the trials, as the type was thought to be uneconomical for use in the Middle East, however, this decision was overturned after intense lobbying by Hawker. Early on during the trials, it became clear that the Hunting Jet Provost was not able to fulfil any of the requirements set by the trials, and while the type would go on to be developed into the successful BAC Strikemaster, it was eliminated from the contest. The trials had become a straight contest between the Hunter and the Gnat.

Early on, the Folland appeared to be a clear favourite: above 40,000 ft it was more manoeuvrable than the Hunter, and its diminutive size made it a difficult target to spot and aim at. Additionally, it required only a minimum of external equipment to operate it from unprepared airstrips. However, the diminutive size of the Gnat also worked in its disadvantage: its relative short landing gear gave the aircraft unpleasant characteristics on unpaved airstrips, and its relatively low-set exhaust damaged the runway surface. However, the main problem for the Gnat was that it was unable to meet range requirements. Fully loaded for combat it had a range of 188 nm, which fell short of the 250 nm requirement set up in the VRET; with external tanks, its maximum ferry range was 673 nm, which was insufficient to ferry it between the Royal Air Force's main Middle East Air Force bases. At the end of the trials, the Hunter came out as the winner on all points except agility above 40,000 ft.

Following the trials, conversion work was started to bring the Hunter F.6 up to full ground attack standard, the FGA.9 (for Fighter Ground Attack). The wing spars were restressed and strengthened, a brake chute was added in a housing above the exhaust for use on unprepared airstrips, the flight controls were adjusted to give a better response at low altitude, and the oxygen supply was increased; as the FGA.9 was primarily intended for use in the Middle East, the aircraft were also given a tropicalised refrigeration and ventilation system. New drop tanks were designed for the inner wing hardpoints, capable of carrying 230 gallons (instead of the 100-gallon drop tanks in use up to then); as they were larger, a cut-out was made in the flaps so they could be extended while carrying the new tanks. Initially, these tanks were fixed and intended for ferry use only, but gradually they were redesigned so they could be jettisonable and used in combat. The first Hunter FGA.9 made its maiden flight on July 3rd 1959. The initial batch was built to 'interim' FGA.9 with an Avon 203 which provided 10,000 lb thrust; the production variant was equipped with an Avon 207 which provided 10,050 lb thrust.

Around the time the Hunter FGA.9 started entering RAF service in 1960, the Hunter F.6 was considered obsolete as a day fighter with the impending service entry of the English Electric Lightning. As a result, many Hunter F.6 airframes were taken back by Hunter for a rebuild to the FGA.9 standard. In all, 144 Hunter F.6s were rebuild to FGA.9 standard. A dedicated reconnaissance variant was also developed out of the FGA.9: the FR.10 had the same capabilities as the FGA.9, except for the adjusted flight controls, its main difference being a set of reconnaissance cameras in a new nose.

In Royal Air Force service, the Hunter FGA.9 was first deployed in Aden in 1960, where it replaced the obsolete Venom; it was used during the Radfan Emergency to attack insurgent forces. During the Borneo Confrontation of 1963-1966, RAF Hunter FGA.9s were used in counter-insurgency operations. The withdrawal from the Royal Air Force from its former protectorates in the late 1960s saw the need for these ground-attack Hunters disappear; the last frontline RAF Hunter FGA.9 unit was disbanded in 1971, however, the type remained in RAF service as an advanced trainer until the 1980s, with trainer variants remaining in RAF service until the early 1990s.

The Hunter FGA.9 variant also became the basis of numerous close air support variants intended for export. This was partly possible due to the disbanding of numerous RAF day fighter units following the 1957 Defence White Paper, and partly due to the early retirement of the Hawker Hunter F.6 in Belgian (1963) and Dutch (1968) service. This released several hundreds of Hunter F.6 airframes which could be rebuilt to FGA standard. Dedicated 'national' variants were built for India (FGA.56), Kuwait (FGA.57), Switzerland (F.58A), Iraq (FGA.59), Lebanon (FGA.70), Chile (FGA.71), Jordan (FGA.73), Singapore (FGA.75), Abu Dhabi (FGA.76), Qatar (FGA.78) and Kenya (FGA.80). Additionally, numerous ex-Royal Air Force FGA.9 airframes were refurbished by Hunter for export.

In foreign service, the Hawker Hunter had a considerably long life. It was relatively easy to maintain type, which could be deployed quickly if needed. In the absence of aerial threats, it was an excellent ground attack aircraft, making it suited for low-intensity conflict and counter-insurgency operations. Many aircraft were locally modified to carry a wide variety of ordonnance: some air forces such as those of Switzerland and Singapore modified theirs to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder; in their ultimate guise, Swiss Air Force Hunters were even capable of firing the AGM-65 Maverick. Most aircraft were withdrawn from frontline service in the 1990s, with Switzerland being the last Western nation to withdraw the type from frontline service in 1994. The Indian Air Force was the last major user of the type, withdrawing the last of its Hunters in 2000; the last nation to withdraw the Hunter from frontline military service was Lebanon, retiring the Hunter in 2014. Even so, a handful of Hunters remain in limited military service: as of 2019, ATAC in the United States, Apache Aviation in France, Hawker Hunter Aviation in the UK and Lortie Aviation in Canada operate a number of civilianised Hawker Hunters under government military contracts to provide high-speed aerial threat simulation, mission support training and trials support services.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* Hawker [[Sea_Hawk_FGA.6|Sea Hawk]]
* Hawker [[Hunter F 1]]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Dassault [[Super Mystere B2|Super Mystère]]
* Mikoyan [[MiG-17]]
* North American [[F-100D|F-100]] Super Sabre
* North American [[FJ-4B]] Fury

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Hawker}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}
{{Britain premium aircraft}}

User talk:U84825696

2019-11-27T23:30:31Z

U84825696:

Are you the real Phlydaily? [[User:U90879773|U90879773]] ([[User talk:U90879773|talk]]) 03:43, 26 November 2019 (UTC)
Nah man im a fake but a HUGE fan. I play on ps4 so I cant change my name without paying money.

Hunter FGA.9

2019-11-26T03:15:22Z

U84825696: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card
|code=hunter_f9_rhodesia
|store=7212
}}
{{About
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Hunter (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.93 "Shark Attack"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
The Hunter FGA.9 is vastly superior to most tier IV aircraft (eg. the Mig-15 or F-86)

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - at sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
| 1,138 km/h || 1,133 km/h || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.5s || 26.3s || 53.6 m/s || 46.6 m/s || 820
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - at sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
| 1,158 km/h || 1,148 km/h || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 24.6s || 25.0s || 88.8 m/s || 70.0 m/s || 820
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 620 || ~14 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 850 || < 600 || < 690 || N/A
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 0 m || 4,230 kgf || N/A
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|ADEN (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is outfitted with the following offensive ordnance:

* 4 x 30 mm ADEN autocannons (150 RPG, 600 rounds total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|H.E. M.C. Mk.II (500 lb)|M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I (1,000 lb)|SNEB type 23|AIM-9E}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following suspended ordnance:

* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 4 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 4 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M.C. Mk.II bombs + 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb H.E. M. C. Mk.II bombs + 36 SNEB type 23 unguided rockets
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. 1,000 lb Mk.I bombs + 36 SNEB type 23 unguided rockets
* 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder air-to-air missiles


== Usage in battles ==


Side rush and burst climb, then enter the main cluster of aircraft in the middle (ideally with a height advantage). Your AIM 9E's (if you choose to bring them into battle) will quickly dispatch any enemies at a low energy state (hopefully distracted by fighting someone else). Use your superior speed in the cluster and launch your ordinance then zoom back up (the [[Boom & Zoom]] strategy). When you have expended your missiles, use your 30 mm ADENs as they are VERY destructive and typically only one shell is enough to critically damage or destroy any aircraft they come in contact with.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent speed advantage when in rank IV matches
* Gets down-tiered most of the time due to rank IV placement
* AIM-9Es are very good due to high speed, 10G manoeuvrability and up to (around) 4 km range from the rear.

'''Cons:'''

* High speed manoeuvrability is bad due to locking up from about 1000km/h onwards.
* Lvl 1 pilot will pass out instantly from pulling 3G's from about 700km/h. Spam upgrade G-Tolerance and Stamina in the crew section.

*

== History ==


Towards the end of the 1950s, the Royal Air Force was faced with the increasing obsolescence of the [[Venom_FB.4|De Havilland Venom FB.4]] in the ground attack role. At the time, the Venom was still in use as a Close Air Support aircraft both in South East Asia and the Middle East; especially in the Aden Emergency it was intensely used, and as a result, a replacement was urgently required. In 1958 the Royal Air Force started the Venom Replacement Evaluation Trials (VRET), selecting the Royal Air Force bases of RAF Khormaksar (Aden) with its long paved runway, and RAF Riyan (Quaiti State, Eastern Aden Protectorate) with its unhardened airstrip as trials bases.

For the VRET, three types were selected: the Hunting Jet Provost T.3; the Folland Gnat F.1; and last but not least, the [[Hunter_F.6|Hawker Hunter F.6]]. Before the trials began, the Folland Gnat was considered the forerunner, while the Hawker Hunter was initially not even considered for the trials, as the type was thought to be uneconomical for use in the Middle East, however, this decision was overturned after intense lobbying by Hawker. Early on during the trials, it became clear that the Hunting Jet Provost was not able to fulfil any of the requirements set by the trials, and while the type would go on to be developed into the successful BAC Strikemaster, it was eliminated from the contest. The trials had become a straight contest between the Hunter and the Gnat.

Early on, the Folland appeared to be a clear favourite: above 40,000 ft it was more manoeuvrable than the Hunter, and its diminutive size made it a difficult target to spot and aim at. Additionally, it required only a minimum of external equipment to operate it from unprepared airstrips. However, the diminutive size of the Gnat also worked in its disadvantage: its relative short landing gear gave the aircraft unpleasant characteristics on unpaved airstrips, and its relatively low-set exhaust damaged the runway surface. However, the main problem for the Gnat was that it was unable to meet range requirements. Fully loaded for combat it had a range of 188 nm, which fell short of the 250 nm requirement set up in the VRET; with external tanks, its maximum ferry range was 673 nm, which was insufficient to ferry it between the Royal Air Force's main Middle East Air Force bases. At the end of the trials, the Hunter came out as the winner on all points except agility above 40,000 ft.

Following the trials, conversion work was started to bring the Hunter F.6 up to full ground attack standard, the FGA.9 (for Fighter Ground Attack). The wing spars were restressed and strengthened, a brake chute was added in a housing above the exhaust for use on unprepared airstrips, the flight controls were adjusted to give a better response at low altitude, and the oxygen supply was increased; as the FGA.9 was primarily intended for use in the Middle East, the aircraft were also given a tropicalised refrigeration and ventilation system. New drop tanks were designed for the inner wing hardpoints, capable of carrying 230 gallons (instead of the 100-gallon drop tanks in use up to then); as they were larger, a cut-out was made in the flaps so they could be extended while carrying the new tanks. Initially, these tanks were fixed and intended for ferry use only, but gradually they were redesigned so they could be jettisonable and used in combat. The first Hunter FGA.9 made its maiden flight on July 3rd 1959. The initial batch was built to 'interim' FGA.9 with an Avon 203 which provided 10,000 lb thrust; the production variant was equipped with an Avon 207 which provided 10,050 lb thrust.

Around the time the Hunter FGA.9 started entering RAF service in 1960, the Hunter F.6 was considered obsolete as a day fighter with the impending service entry of the English Electric Lightning. As a result, many Hunter F.6 airframes were taken back by Hunter for a rebuild to the FGA.9 standard. In all, 144 Hunter F.6s were rebuild to FGA.9 standard. A dedicated reconnaissance variant was also developed out of the FGA.9: the FR.10 had the same capabilities as the FGA.9, except for the adjusted flight controls, its main difference being a set of reconnaissance cameras in a new nose.

In Royal Air Force service, the Hunter FGA.9 was first deployed in Aden in 1960, where it replaced the obsolete Venom; it was used during the Radfan Emergency to attack insurgent forces. During the Borneo Confrontation of 1963-1966, RAF Hunter FGA.9s were used in counter-insurgency operations. The withdrawal from the Royal Air Force from its former protectorates in the late 1960s saw the need for these ground-attack Hunters disappear; the last frontline RAF Hunter FGA.9 unit was disbanded in 1971, however, the type remained in RAF service as an advanced trainer until the 1980s, with trainer variants remaining in RAF service until the early 1990s.

The Hunter FGA.9 variant also became the basis of numerous close air support variants intended for export. This was partly possible due to the disbanding of numerous RAF day fighter units following the 1957 Defence White Paper, and partly due to the early retirement of the Hawker Hunter F.6 in Belgian (1963) and Dutch (1968) service. This released several hundreds of Hunter F.6 airframes which could be rebuilt to FGA standard. Dedicated 'national' variants were built for India (FGA.56), Kuwait (FGA.57), Switzerland (F.58A), Iraq (FGA.59), Lebanon (FGA.70), Chile (FGA.71), Jordan (FGA.73), Singapore (FGA.75), Abu Dhabi (FGA.76), Qatar (FGA.78) and Kenya (FGA.80). Additionally, numerous ex-Royal Air Force FGA.9 airframes were refurbished by Hunter for export.

In foreign service, the Hawker Hunter had a considerably long life. It was relatively easy to maintain type, which could be deployed quickly if needed. In the absence of aerial threats, it was an excellent ground attack aircraft, making it suited for low-intensity conflict and counter-insurgency operations. Many aircraft were locally modified to carry a wide variety of ordonnance: some air forces such as those of Switzerland and Singapore modified theirs to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder; in their ultimate guise, Swiss Air Force Hunters were even capable of firing the AGM-65 Maverick. Most aircraft were withdrawn from frontline service in the 1990s, with Switzerland being the last Western nation to withdraw the type from frontline service in 1994. The Indian Air Force was the last major user of the type, withdrawing the last of its Hunters in 2000; the last nation to withdraw the Hunter from frontline military service was Lebanon, retiring the Hunter in 2014. Even so, a handful of Hunters remain in limited military service: as of 2019, ATAC in the United States, Apache Aviation in France, Hawker Hunter Aviation in the UK and Lortie Aviation in Canada operate a number of civilianised Hawker Hunters under government military contracts to provide high-speed aerial threat simulation, mission support training and trials support services.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* Hawker [[Sea_Hawk_FGA.6|Sea Hawk]]
* Hawker [[Hunter F 1]]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Dassault [[Super Mystere B2|Super Mystère]]
* Mikoyan [[MiG-17]]
* North American [[F-100D|F-100]] Super Sabre
* North American [[FJ-4B]] Fury

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Britain jet aircraft}}
{{Britain premium aircraft}}

Hunter FGA.9

2019-11-21T05:04:38Z

U84825696: /* Offensive armament */

{{Specs-Card
|code=hunter_f9_rhodesia
|store=7212
}}
{{About
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Hunter (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.93 "Shark Attack"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - at sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
| 1,138 km/h || 1,133 km/h || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.5s || 26.3s || 53.6 m/s || 46.6 m/s || 820
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - at sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
| 1,158 km/h || 1,148 km/h || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 24.6s || 25.0s || 88.8 m/s || 70.0 m/s || 820
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 620 || ~14 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 850 || < 600 || < 690 || N/A
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 0 m || 4,230 kgf || N/A
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===
4 x 30mm [[ADEN (30 mm)|ADEN]] cannons. 600 rounds.

=== Suspended armament ===
''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''

=== Defensive armament ===
''Defensive armament with turret machine guns or cannons, crewed by gunners. Examine the number of gunners and what belts or drums are better to use. If defensive weaponry is not available, remove this subsection.''

== Usage in battles ==
Side rush and burst climb, then enter the main cluster of aircraft in the middle (ideally with a height advantage). Your Aim 9E's (if you choose to bring them into battle) will quickly dispatch any enemies at a low energy state (hopefully distracted by fighting someone else). Use your superior speed in the cluster and launch your ordinance then zoom back up (the [[Boom & Zoom|BnZ]] strategy). When you have expended your missiles, use your 30mm ADENs as they are VERY destructive and 1 shell will most likely destroy or critically damage any aircraft.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent speed advantage when in rank IV matches
* Gets down-tiered most of the time due to rank IV placement
* AIM-9Es are very good due to high speed, 10G manoeuvrability and up to (around) 4 km range from the rear.

*

'''Cons:'''

*

== History ==


Towards the end of the 1950s, the Royal Air Force was faced with the increasing obsolescence of the [[Venom_FB.4|De Havilland Venom FB.4]] in the ground attack role. At the time, the Venom was still in use as a Close Air Support aircraft both in South East Asia and the Middle East; especially in the Aden Emergency it was intensely used, and as a result, a replacement was urgently required. In 1958 the Royal Air Force started the Venom Replacement Evaluation Trials (VRET), selecting the Royal Air Force bases of RAF Khormaksar (Aden) with its long paved runway, and RAF Riyan (Quaiti State, Eastern Aden Protectorate) with its unhardened airstrip as trials bases.

For the VRET, three types were selected: the Hunting Jet Provost T.3; the Folland Gnat F.1; and last but not least, the [[Hunter_F.6|Hawker Hunter F.6]]. Before the trials began, the Folland Gnat was considered the forerunner, while the Hawker Hunter was initially not even considered for the trials, as the type was thought to be uneconomical for use in the Middle East, however, this decision was overturned after intense lobbying by Hawker. Early on during the trials, it became clear that the Hunting Jet Provost was not able to fulfil any of the requirements set by the trials, and while the type would go on to be developed into the successful BAC Strikemaster, it was eliminated from the contest. The trials had become a straight contest between the Hunter and the Gnat.

Early on, the Folland appeared to be a clear favourite: above 40,000 ft it was more manoeuvrable than the Hunter, and its diminutive size made it a difficult target to spot and aim at. Additionally, it required only a minimum of external equipment to operate it from unprepared airstrips. However, the diminutive size of the Gnat also worked in its disadvantage: its relative short landing gear gave the aircraft unpleasant characteristics on unpaved airstrips, and its relatively low-set exhaust damaged the runway surface. However, the main problem for the Gnat was that it was unable to meet range requirements. Fully loaded for combat it had a range of 188 nm, which fell short of the 250 nm requirement set up in the VRET; with external tanks, its maximum ferry range was 673 nm, which was insufficient to ferry it between the Royal Air Force's main Middle East Air Force bases. At the end of the trials, the Hunter came out as the winner on all points except agility above 40,000 ft.

Following the trials, conversion work was started to bring the Hunter F.6 up to full ground attack standard, the FGA.9 (for Fighter Ground Attack). The wing spars were restressed and strengthened, a brake chute was added in a housing above the exhaust for use on unprepared airstrips, the flight controls were adjusted to give a better response at low altitude, and the oxygen supply was increased; as the FGA.9 was primarily intended for use in the Middle East, the aircraft were also given a tropicalised refrigeration and ventilation system. New drop tanks were designed for the inner wing hardpoints, capable of carrying 230 gallons (instead of the 100 gallon drop tanks in use up to then); as they were larger, a cut-out was made in the flaps so they could be extended while carrying the new tanks. Initially these tanks were fixed and intended for ferry use only, but gradually they were redesigned so they could be jettisonable and used in combat. The first Hunter FGA.9 made its maiden flight on July 3rd 1959. The initial batch was built to 'interim' FGA.9 with an Avon 203 which provided 10,000 lb thrust; the production variant was equipped with an Avon 207 which provided 10,050 lb thrust.

Around the time the Hunter FGA.9 started entering RAF service in 1960, the Hunter F.6 was considered obsolete as a day fighter with the impending service entry of the English Electric Lightning. As a result, many Hunter F.6 airframes were taken back by Hunter for a rebuild to the FGA.9 standard. In all, 144 Hunter F.6s were rebuild to FGA.9 standard. A dedicated reconnaissance variant was also developed out of the FGA.9: the FR.10 had the same capabilities as the FGA.9, except for the adjusted flight controls, its main difference being a set of reconnaissance cameras in a new nose.

In Royal Air Force service, the Hunter FGA.9 was first deployed in Aden in 1960, where it replaced the obsolete Venom; it was used during the Radfan Emergency to attack insurgent forces. During the Borneo Confrontation of 1963-1966, RAF Hunter FGA.9s were used in counter-insurgency operations. The withdrawal from the Royal Air Force from its former protectorates in the late 1960s saw the need for these ground-attack Hunters disappear; the last frontline RAF Hunter FGA.9 unit was disbanded in 1971, however, the type remained in RAF service as an advanced trainer until the 1980s, with trainer variants remaining in RAF service until the early 1990s.

The Hunter FGA.9 variant also became the basis of numerous close air support variants intended for export. This was partly possible due to the disbanding of numerous RAF day fighter units following the 1957 Defence White Paper, and partly due to the early retirement of the Hawker Hunter F.6 in Belgian (1963) and Dutch (1968) service. This released several hundreds of Hunter F.6 airframes which could be rebuilt to FGA standard. Dedicated 'national' variants were built for India (FGA.56), Kuwait (FGA.57), Switzerland (F.58A), Iraq (FGA.59), Lebanon (FGA.70), Chile (FGA.71), Jordan (FGA.73), Singapore (FGA.75), Abu Dhabi (FGA.76), Qatar (FGA.78) and Kenya (FGA.80). Additionally, numerous ex-Royal Air Force FGA.9 airframes were refurbished by Hunter for export.

In foreign service, the Hawker Hunter had a considerably long life. It was a relatively easy to maintain type, which could be deployed quickly if needed. In the absence of aerial threats, it was an excellent ground attack aircraft, making it suited for low-intensity conflict and counter-insurgency operations. Many aircraft were locally modified to carry a wide variety of ordonnance: some air forces such as those of Switzerland and Singapore modified theirs to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder; in their ultimate guise, Swiss Air Force Hunters were even capable of firing the AGM-65 Maverick. Most aircraft were withdrawn from frontline service in the 1990s, with Switzerland being the last Western nation to withdraw the type from frontline service in 1994. The Indian Air Force was the last major user of the type, withdrawing the last of its Hunters in 2000; the last nation to withdraw the Hunter from frontline military service was Lebanon, retiring the Hunter in 2014. Even so, a handful of Hunters remain in limited military service: as of 2019, ATAC in the United States, Apache Aviation in France, Hawker Hunter Aviation in the UK and Lortie Aviation in Canada operate a number of civilianised Hawker Hunters under government military contracts to provide high-speed aerial threat simulation, mission support training and trials support services.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* Hawker [[Sea_Hawk_FGA.6|Sea Hawk]]
* Hawker [[Hunter F 1]]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Dassault [[Super Mystere B2|Super Mystère]]
* Mikoyan [[MiG-17]]
* North American [[F-100D|F-100]] Super Sabre
* North American [[FJ-4B]] Fury

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Britain jet aircraft}}
{{Britain premium aircraft}}

Hunter FGA.9

2019-11-18T02:49:31Z

U84825696: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card
|code=hunter_f9_rhodesia
|store=7212
}}
{{About
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Hunter (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.93 "Shark Attack"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - at sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
| 1,138 km/h || 1,133 km/h || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.5s || 26.3s || 53.6 m/s || 46.6 m/s || 820
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - at sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
| 1,158 km/h || 1,148 km/h || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 24.6s || 25.0s || 88.8 m/s || 70.0 m/s || 820
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 620 || ~14 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 850 || < 600 || < 690 || N/A
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 0 m || 4,230 kgf || N/A
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===
''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.''

=== Suspended armament ===
''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''

=== Defensive armament ===
''Defensive armament with turret machine guns or cannons, crewed by gunners. Examine the number of gunners and what belts or drums are better to use. If defensive weaponry is not available, remove this subsection.''

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''

=== Pros and cons ===
''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''

'''Pros:'''

* Excellent speed advantage when in rank IV matches
* Gets down-tiered most of the time due to rank IV placement
* Aim-9Es are very good due to high speed, 10G manoeuvrability and up to (around) 4 km range from the rear.

*

'''Cons:'''

*

== History ==


Towards the end of the 1950s, the Royal Air Force was faced with the increasing obsolescence of the [[Venom_FB.4|De Havilland Venom FB.4]] in the ground attack role. At the time, the Venom was still in use as a Close Air Support aircraft both in South East Asia and the Middle East; especially in the Aden Emergency it was intensely used, and as a result, a replacement was urgently required. In 1958 the Royal Air Force started the Venom Replacement Evaluation Trials (VRET), selecting the Royal Air Force bases of RAF Khormaksar (Aden) with its long paved runway, and RAF Riyan (Quaiti State, Eastern Aden Protectorate) with its unhardened airstrip as trials bases.

For the VRET, three types were selected: the Hunting Jet Provost T.3; the Folland Gnat F.1; and last but not least, the [[Hunter_F.6|Hawker Hunter F.6]]. Before the trials began, the Folland Gnat was considered the forerunner, while the Hawker Hunter was initially not even considered for the trials, as the type was thought to be uneconomical for use in the Middle East, however, this decision was overturned after intense lobbying by Hawker. Early on during the trials, it became clear that the Hunting Jet Provost was not able to fulfil any of the requirements set by the trials, and while the type would go on to be developed into the successful BAC Strikemaster, it was eliminated from the contest. The trials had become a straight contest between the Hunter and the Gnat.

Early on, the Folland appeared to be a clear favourite: above 40,000 ft it was more manoeuvrable than the Hunter, and its diminutive size made it a difficult target to spot and aim at. Additionally, it required only a minimum of external equipment to operate it from unprepared airstrips. However, the diminutive size of the Gnat also worked in its disadvantage: its relative short landing gear gave the aircraft unpleasant characteristics on unpaved airstrips, and its relatively low-set exhaust damaged the runway surface. However, the main problem for the Gnat was that it was unable to meet range requirements. Fully loaded for combat it had a range of 188 nm, which fell short of the 250 nm requirement set up in the VRET; with external tanks, its maximum ferry range was 673 nm, which was insufficient to ferry it between the Royal Air Force's main Middle East Air Force bases. At the end of the trials, the Hunter came out as the winner on all points except agility above 40,000 ft.

Following the trials, conversion work was started to bring the Hunter F.6 up to full ground attack standard, the FGA.9 (for Fighter Ground Attack). The wing spars were restressed and strengthened, a brake chute was added in a housing above the exhaust for use on unprepared airstrips, the flight controls were adjusted to give a better response at low altitude, and the oxygen supply was increased; as the FGA.9 was primarily intended for use in the Middle East, the aircraft were also given a tropicalised refrigeration and ventilation system. New drop tanks were designed for the inner wing hardpoints, capable of carrying 230 gallons (instead of the 100 gallon drop tanks in use up to then); as they were larger, a cut-out was made in the flaps so they could be extended while carrying the new tanks. Initially these tanks were fixed and intended for ferry use only, but gradually they were redesigned so they could be jettisonable and used in combat. The first Hunter FGA.9 made its maiden flight on July 3rd 1959. The initial batch was built to 'interim' FGA.9 with an Avon 203 which provided 10,000 lb thrust; the production variant was equipped with an Avon 207 which provided 10,050 lb thrust.

Around the time the Hunter FGA.9 started entering RAF service in 1960, the Hunter F.6 was considered obsolete as a day fighter with the impending service entry of the English Electric Lightning. As a result, many Hunter F.6 airframes were taken back by Hunter for a rebuild to the FGA.9 standard. In all, 144 Hunter F.6s were rebuild to FGA.9 standard. A dedicated reconnaissance variant was also developed out of the FGA.9: the FR.10 had the same capabilities as the FGA.9, except for the adjusted flight controls, its main difference being a set of reconnaissance cameras in a new nose.

In Royal Air Force service, the Hunter FGA.9 was first deployed in Aden in 1960, where it replaced the obsolete Venom; it was used during the Radfan Emergency to attack insurgent forces. During the Borneo Confrontation of 1963-1966, RAF Hunter FGA.9s were used in counter-insurgency operations. The withdrawal from the Royal Air Force from its former protectorates in the late 1960s saw the need for these ground-attack Hunters disappear; the last frontline RAF Hunter FGA.9 unit was disbanded in 1971, however, the type remained in RAF service as an advanced trainer until the 1980s, with trainer variants remaining in RAF service until the early 1990s.

The Hunter FGA.9 variant also became the basis of numerous close air support variants intended for export. This was partly possible due to the disbanding of numerous RAF day fighter units following the 1957 Defence White Paper, and partly due to the early retirement of the Hawker Hunter F.6 in Belgian (1963) and Dutch (1968) service. This released several hundreds of Hunter F.6 airframes which could be rebuilt to FGA standard. Dedicated 'national' variants were built for India (FGA.56), Kuwait (FGA.57), Switzerland (F.58A), Iraq (FGA.59), Lebanon (FGA.70), Chile (FGA.71), Jordan (FGA.73), Singapore (FGA.75), Abu Dhabi (FGA.76), Qatar (FGA.78) and Kenya (FGA.80). Additionally, numerous ex-Royal Air Force FGA.9 airframes were refurbished by Hunter for export.

In foreign service, the Hawker Hunter had a considerably long life. It was a relatively easy to maintain type, which could be deployed quickly if needed. In the absence of aerial threats, it was an excellent ground attack aircraft, making it suited for low-intensity conflict and counter-insurgency operations. Many aircraft were locally modified to carry a wide variety of ordonnance: some air forces such as those of Switzerland and Singapore modified theirs to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder; in their ultimate guise, Swiss Air Force Hunters were even capable of firing the AGM-65 Maverick. Most aircraft were withdrawn from frontline service in the 1990s, with Switzerland being the last Western nation to withdraw the type from frontline service in 1994. The Indian Air Force was the last major user of the type, withdrawing the last of its Hunters in 2000; the last nation to withdraw the Hunter from frontline military service was Lebanon, retiring the Hunter in 2014. Even so, a handful of Hunters remain in limited military service: as of 2019, ATAC in the United States, Apache Aviation in France, Hawker Hunter Aviation in the UK and Lortie Aviation in Canada operate a number of civilianised Hawker Hunters under government military contracts to provide high-speed aerial threat simulation, mission support training and trials support services.

== Media ==
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== See also ==
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== External links ==
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{{Britain jet aircraft}}
{{Britain premium aircraft}}