AV7223009 - 1/72 HAWKER SEA HAWK XE339 FLEET REQUIREMENTS UNIT HURN 1968

Built by both Hawker (first 35 examples) and Armstrong Whitworth (all subsequent aircraft), the Sea Hawk was a daytime fighter, and it was Hawker's first jet design. It first flew in 1947 and was introduced to service in March 1953. The last operational Sea Hawks, operated by the Indian Navy, were retired in 1983.

The type entered Royal Naval service in 1953, but it was progressively replaced by the Vickers Supermarine Scimitar and de Havilland DH.110 Sea Vixen. It was finally withdrawn from front-line service in 1960, although a number of aircraft remained in support roles with the Fleet Requirements Unit at Hurn until 1969.

The Fleet Requirements Unit (FRU) was a civilian-operated unit of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, managed by a company called Airwork Limited. It was established in September 1952, at Hurn Airport, operating for 20 years before merging with another unit to become the Fleet Requirements and Air Direction Training Unit (FRADTU), in December 1972.

This latest variant of the Aviation 72 casting depicts one of the FRU airframes as it was towards the end of its time there, in 1968. A limited edition, the model can be displayed using the included stand, if desired.