Building on the incredible success of the RAF’s British Aerospace Hawk trainer, the 100 series was a significant development of the original design, which resulted in a much more aggressive looking aeroplane. With a lengthened nose and permanent wing-tip mountings for air to air missiles, the Hawk 100 series would provide several nations with an extremely cost effective, agile and capable multi-role aircraft option.

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On graduating from basic flying training in the BAC Jet Provost, students streamed for fast jet training during the mid 1960s would probably find themselves in the front seat of a Folland Gnat and a very different flying experience. Something of a ‘hot ship’ the Gnat was fast, responsive and highly manoeuvrable, with excellent visibility from his position. In the relatively cramped cockpit of this jet trainer, however, conditions for the instructor in the rear seat could not be described as being quite so pleasurable.