The British Aerospace (now BAE) Hawk is a modern British training jet and light fighter in a low wing configuration. The drive is provided by a single motor Rolls-Royce Adour Mk 951 . The prototype flight took place in 1974. In the course of serial production, which began in 1974 and continues to this day, more than 900 copies of this aircraft were produced. The T1A version is armed with a single 30mm ADEN cannon, four AIM-9 or AIM-132 missiles, and up to 680 kg of bombs.
The BAE Hawk was created as the successor to the Folland Gnat as the RAF's entry-level machine for advanced training for fighter pilots. The machine turned out to be very successful: it was characterized by good performance, high reliability, but also great maneuverability. It also became one of the basic planes of the RAF Red Arrows aerobatic team. In the course of serial production for the needs of the RAF, two basic versions of this aircraft were created. The first, which was also the first mass-produced, was designated Hawk T1. Later on, the Hawk T1A version was created, which replaced the old Hawker Hunter planes as a light fighter. This machine was adapted to carry overhead weapons, and an ADEN cannon was mounted on it. The BAE Hawk production license was also sold to the US, where it entered service as the T-45 Goshawk. This version differed quite significantly from the original, e.g. by using different engines, different avionics and changing the size of the fuselage. BAE Hawk also found its way to many other foreign recipients, including Australia, Finland, India and Canada.
Supermarine Spitfire is probably the most famous British fighter from the Second World War. It was an all-metal machine with a low wing configuration, characteristic elliptical wings, a classic tail and a retractable landing gear. The prototype flight took place on March 5, 1936. The Spitfire proved to be the RAF's staple of the war, which continued to do well after the war, remaining in production for 10 years. The history of the Spitfire began on the drawing desk of RJ Mitchell, Supermarine's lead designer. The first machines went to RAF units in 1938, but when the Battle of Britain began in the summer of 1940, there were already 19 squadrons of modern fighters at the airfields - together with the slightly older Hurricanes of the Islands, 600 aircraft were defending. With the expansion of hostilities, the Spitfire served wherever the RAF operated in the Far East, North Africa and Italy, during the Normandy landings and fighting in France, and finally during the operation in Germany in 1945. For many Britons, he became a symbol of victory in World War II. This wonderful machine has at least a dozen production versions. The most important of them are, among others the first mass-produced Spitfire Mk.I powered by a 1030hp Rolls-Royce Merlin II engine. It was above all this machine that made such an excellent contribution to the Battle of Britain. Many versions of this model have been developed, including PR Mk IA (reconnaissance version) or PR.IG (armed reconnaissance version). Another interesting version was the Spitfire Mk.V with a Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 engine with 1440HP. Later, Merlin 50 engines were also assembled. Serial production of this version started in 1941 and was the RAF's response to the appearance of the Messerschmitt Bf-109F. Another very successful version is the Spitfire Mk.IX, powered by a Merlin 61 engine with a 4-blade propeller. It was created as an opponent to the Focke-Wulf Fw-190 and was put into production at the end of 1941. This version was modified many times and, for example, in 1944 it got a new gyro sight, an enlarged rudder or a different wing system. Another major version is the Spitfire Mk.XIV with a Rolls-Royce Griffon 61 engine and a five-bladed propeller. Serial production started in October 1943. One of the last series produced was the Mk.21 version. This version had a Griffon 61 engine, a strongly reinforced structure and sheathing, the wings were extended, increasing their flying surface. Mass production started in March 1945. Technical data (Mk.XIV version): length: 9.14m, wingspan: 11.23m, height: 3.05m, maximum speed: 717km / h, rate of climb: 18.5m / s, practical ceiling: 13,200m, range maximum: 1815 km, armament: fixed - 4 7.7mm machine guns and 2 20mm Hispano Mk II cannons, suspended - up to 225 kg of bombs.