Hawker Hunter WB 188
Hawker Hunter WB188 'World Air Speed Record', RAF Tangmere, 1953
Sqn. Ldr. Neville Duke DSO DFC.
Scale 1:144 Wingspan 2.8" (71 mm)
Base size 4.84" (123 mm) square (No. 3)
Weight not including base 2.4 ozs (70 grams)
Total number of models produced 142
In 1953 Hawkers married the airframe of the prototype P1067 WB188 to an
afterburning Rolls Royce Avon turbojet developing 9600lbs of thrust with
reheat. Other modifications carried out included the removal of air brakes,
a more streamlined pointed nose and shallower angled windscreen. Finished
in red and highly polished the aircraft had been made as streamlined as
possible. Flying from RAF Tangmere on the 7th September 1953 Sqn. Ldr. Neville
Duke DSO DFC achieved a world record speed of 727.63 mph the last record
to be held using the original FAI regulations restricting the height of
the record attempt to below 100 metres. This standard model is shown whilst
the signed limited edition with stainless steel plaque (not illustrated)
is restricted to 188 only.
