Hawker Sea Hawk Mk.100

The Hawker Sea Hawk Mk.100 was the final production variant of the British carrier‑borne jet fighter built by Hawker Aircraft in the early 1950s. Development began in 1946 when Hawker received a contract to create a single‑engine, swept‑wing fighter that could operate from the Royal Navy’s fleet carriers. The prototype first flew on 26 July 1949 and entered service with the Fleet Air Arm in 1953. Powered by a Rolls‑Royce Nene 103 centrifugal‑flow turbojet delivering 5,200 lbf of thrust, the Mk.100 featured a low‑wing, all‑metal airframe, hydraulically‑operated Fowler flaps and a reinforced arrestor‑hook for carrier landings. Armament comprised four 20 mm Hispano cannons and up to 2,000 lb of external stores on under‑wing pylons, allowing it to perform both air‑to‑air and ground‑attack missions. A distinctive feature was its simple, rugged design that tolerated the harsh maritime environment and required relatively low maintenance, making it popular with carrier crews. The Sea Hawk saw extensive combat in the Suez Crisis and later served with the Indian Navy, where it remained operational until the early 1980s. Its reliability and versatility cemented the Sea Hawk’s place as a pivotal step in the transition from piston‑engine to jet‑powered naval aviation.

Hawker Aircraft

Hawker Sea Hawk Mk.100

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification