Royal Air Force Hawks visit Malta, the aircraft spotter’s paradise

February 16, 2012 Military Aviation

David Cenciotti

More less one year after becoming the hub of the various rescue missions that preceded the beginning of the Air War in Libya, Malta is still one of the most interesting airports for enthusiasts and spotters. The airport, that has just celebrated the 20th anniversary of the inauguration with some interesting flybys, is often visited by some really interesting traffics. Among them, the two Libyan Air Force Mirage F1s that landed in Malta International Airport on Feb. 21, 2011, and are about to return home.

At around 11:25LT on Feb. 13, 2012, three RAF Hawks from RAF Akrotiri landed at Malta International Airport. Flying as RAFAIR (RFR) 7041, the British planes (serials XX184, XX203, XX321) flew a run in and break for RWY 31.

Belonging to the 100 Sqn based at RAF Leeming, the training jets departed again as a 3-ship formation (using the same radio callsign they had on arrival) at 10:15LT on Feb. 14. Final destination, RAF Leeming, in the UK, with a stopover in France.

Brendon Attard took the following pictures of the Hawks sitting on apron 4 at MIA at night on Feb. 13 and departing from Luqa on Feb. 14.

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About David Cenciotti

David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.

Richard Clements says:

February 16, 2012 at 12:30 AM

The Hawk T Mk1 will not be around for much longer as they are set to be phased out and replaced by the T Mk2
Ravinder says:

February 16, 2012 at 6:55 AM

Is this the one being manufactured under licence by India?
- malcolm from Malta says:
  
  February 16, 2012 at 9:55 AM
  
  @Ravinder..They are operated by RAF not manufactured in India.
Richard Clements says:

February 16, 2012 at 3:16 PM

Hi Ravinder,

These particular jets are operated by the RAF however they are very similar to the Mk132’s that were/are part produced by India, the main differences is that the newer Indian version has a longer nose and different wings along with a digital glass cockpit. I think they have a different engine too.

Malcolm India placed an order with BAE in 2008 for 66 jets with the initial 24 being built by BAE in the UK and the remainder under license built in India by Hindustan Aeronautics and a further 57 jets were ordered in 2010 again to be built in India.
Andreas Moser says:

February 18, 2012 at 9:17 PM

Does this have anything to do with this secret military operation in Malta: http://andreasmoser.wordpress.com/2012/01/17/12000-us-soldiers-on-malta/ ?