The British designed and built BAE Systems Hawk is one of the world's most successful advanced jet trainers. Originally designed by Hawker Siddeley, the Hawk first flew in 1974 and entered service with the RAF in 1976 to replace the Folland Gnat T.1. The Hawk has enjoying superb export success and has been procured in various guises by 19 nations. Whilst the original Hawk is no longer used by the RAF other than by the Red Arrows, the heavily updated Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer is currently operated by 4 and 25 Squadrons at RAF Valley as the Hawk T2 where they are used to train the next generation of fighter pilot.  

 

The Finnish Air Force were one of the first export customers of the original BAe Hawk and have operated the type as the Hawk Mk.51 since 1980 as their advanced jet trainer, it is also flown by their national display team - the Midnight Hawks. The Mk.51 also has the capability to be used as a light fighter or ground attack aircraft if necessary.  In 2007, the Finnish Air Force acquired several retired Hawk Mk.66s from the Swiss Air Force to supplement their fleet. During 2011, all remaining Finnish Hawks were upgraded with a modern glass cockpit. 

The Finnish Air Force are the final operator of the original Hawk in Europe and its presence in our static display at RIAT 2023 will let visitors get up close and personal with a type which was once common in the skies over the UK. The Hawk Mk.51 will be provided by HävLLv 41 based at Jyväskylä-Tikkakoski Air Base in central Finland - home of the Air Force Academy Flight School. It is planned that the Hawk will be registration HW.340 which is painted in a very bright Finnish flag colour scheme. 

 

Photo Credit: Rich Cooper