Hawker P.1152

Hawker P.1152 Peregrine

Scratchbuilt, 1/72

History

The Hawker P1152 design was developed in the early 1960's as a VTOL strike aircraft to replace the Buccaneer in Royal Navy service and Hunter & Interdictor Canberra's in RAF Service. Expected to be in service in the late 60's early 70's period it would most likely have been joined by the VTOL Hawker 1154 Falcon and Sea Falcon in a VTOL airwing.

The Peregrine was a two seat strike aircraft powered by a Rolls Royce RB 177 reheated engine with the addition of vectored thrust nozzles under each wing to assist in the VTOL manoeuvres. Four RB 162 lift engine are also fitted two to each side fore and aft of the wing. A sturdy twin wheel tricycle undercarriage was fitted to cope with the heavy landings. An arrestor hook and catapult spools were also fitted to allow conventional carrier operations as well. A high variable incidence wing was employed together with other wing devices to improve low speed handling.

Armament could be carried on either the two wing pylons plus the lower fuselage has a semi-recessed area able to accommodate upto six 1000lb GP bombs. Tope speed is in the region of mach 2.0

An RAF version was also developed that made use of a wider span wing and taller tail as carrier hanger limitations did not apply also the carrier equipment such as cat spools and tail hook would not longer be required. This would have enabled an additional outer wing pylon for AAM or light weapons.

The Aircraft

The Peregrine shown is from 1978 in the Extra Dark Sea Grey tactical scheme worn by Fleet Air Strike aircraft of the time. The aircraft is XV898 of 807 Squadron based the old and venerable HMS Eagle. She is shown armed with two Green Cheese Nuclear tipped anti ship missiles, these are not recessed as the seeker head needed a clear view to acquire its target. Drop tanks plus the self-defence Sidewinder and ECM pod make up the wing armament.
She is shown here with the Sea Falcon FRS-1 (Hawker P1154 RN) of 800 Squadron based aboard the light VTOL carrier Invincible.

The Model

The model was based upon the drawings and data in British Secret Projects: Jet Bombers since 1949 by Tony Buttler. The main fuselage is based upon a piece of 20mm PVC conduit with the box structure built up around it using plastic card. The forward fuselage is reshaped from a 1/72 Hasegawa F-4 Phantom. The wings and tail surfaces are scratch built using laminations of plastic card. The details such as exhausts and undercarriage are adapted from items in the spares box.

The Green Cheese was created from a 9mm diameter plastic knitting needle with an appropriate nose cone fitted together with plastic card fins.

A second example of this model has been built that includes both the RN & RAF wing types. This model has become a master for a resin example that Joe Cherrie (Tsrjoe) may consider producing at a later date.

Page created October 14, 2004