Famous Hawk jets from Culdrose to make last ever flight across Cornwall
The veteran aircraft take off from the Helston base on Thursday afternoon
Last updated 24th Mar 2022
People are invited to say farewell to the Royal Navy’s Hawk T1 jets as these veteran aircraft are retired from service.
They will fly around the coast of Cornwall on Thursday 24th March for the last time.
Based out of Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose at Helston, the fast jets have been a mainstay for decades in training Royal Navy and NATO ships in air defence.
The BAE Systems Hawks have been used by the RAF for 40 years and the Royal Navy’s aircraft date from the 1990s.
They were first based at RNAS Culdrose in 1994 and were incorporated into the re-formed 736 Naval Air Squadron in 2013.
It was announced in the Integrated Review last year that the Hawk T1 was to be retired across defence, with the exception of the Red Arrows, and it was decided 736 Naval Air Squadron would be decommissioned at the end of March 2022.
On Thursday, two jets will take off from RNAS Culdrose and fly up to Plymouth, before turning around and flying clockwise around Cornwall. They will then depart for RAF Shawbury.
Scroll down to see the flypast locations and timings, which are approximate and dependent on the weather.
Lieutenant Commander Jason Flintham, the commanding officer of 736 Naval Air Squadron, said: "It has to be acknowledged that this is a sad day for everyone involved with the Hawks, but we should not lose sight of the significant contribution these aircraft have made to defence.
"I think it’s fair to say that the Hawks jets have been the outstanding workhorse of the military.
"They’ve been used by 736 Naval Air Squadron to train Royal Navy and NATO frontline assets since 2013. We’ve used them to train ships’ companies against incoming aircraft or to simulate missile attack, as well as training Royal Navy fighter controllers.
"Other roles include training air traffic controllers, airborne surveillance and control crews and aiding radar development. We’ve also regularly taken part in large multi-national NATO exercises, such as Exercise Joint Warrior off Scotland.
"Of course, it’s not just about these superb aircraft. A squadron is comprised of the men and women whose professionalism and dedication makes the squadron a success and deliver its defence aims. We thank everyone who has served over the years including those in industry and the military".
Where can I see the Hawk jets and when?
Thursday 24th March:
3.30pm: Two Hawks depart RNAS Culdrose and head towards Plymouth
3.40pm: Tregantle (western edge of Plymouth)
3.43pm: St Austell
3.47pm: Culdrose
3.50pm: Penzance
3.52pm: Sennen
3.54pm: St Ives
3.58pm: Newquay
4pm: Padstow
4.04pm: Bude
Depart up coast of Devon.
The flypast across Cornwall follows the Hawks' final flight around the UK this time last week.
After today, one of the Hawks will remain on show at RNAS Culdrose in Helston while another will become part of the Red Arrows fleet.