The story
Sydney Camm, who designed the Hurricane, solved the early-jet problem of a long tailpipe losing thrust by splitting the Sea Hawk's exhaust in two and venting it out of each wing root. The result was a clean, elegant carrier fighter that flew at Suez in 1956 and served the Indian Navy from INS Vikrant until 1983. The Royal Navy Historic Flight kept one, WV908, airworthy until 2010, and it is being restored to fly again.
The Sea Hawk has two jet pipes but only one engine: the Nene's exhaust was split and routed to a nozzle in each wing root.
Quick answers
How do you identify a Sea Hawk?
A straight wing with a jet exhaust at each wing root and no tailpipe at the back of the fuselage. Folding wings and a tail hook on the real thing.
What does a Sea Hawk sound like?
A soft Nene whine with the exhaust noise spread out either side.
How fast is the Sea Hawk?
Top speed is 521 kts.
How many people does the Sea Hawk carry?
Typical configuration: Single-seat carrier fighter.
How far can the Sea Hawk fly?
Range is about 420 nmi.
How big is the Sea Hawk?
It is 39 ft 8 in long and 39 ft 0 in across the wings.
When did the Sea Hawk first fly?
Its first flight was in 1947.
How many Sea Hawks have been built?
542 built.
How rare is a Sea Hawk in Bogey?
RARE. A good day. Most spotters go weeks between sightings of something this rare. Your first Sea Hawk catch is worth 250 points.
