Ken Batstone pointed out to the Editor an article in
the October 2004 issue of 'Flypast' about a rather
special privately owned Hunter. It is an ex-Singapore two
seat TMk75A (previously FMk4 WV386) owned by a Steve Appleton
of Boise, Idaho. Painted glossy black it is now registered
N81827. He also owns a red painted RAF TMk7 and the Peruvian
TMk62 (previously 681 and FMk4 WT706).
After a 6 1/2 year, 40,000 man-hour rebuild, N81827 is
fitted with a modern 'glass cockpit' and an 11,250 lb thrust
Avon 208 from a Sea Vixen FAWMk2 in place of the 10,150 lb
thrust Avon 207. The 208 has cooled turbine blades. Also the
Avpin starter was replaced with an electric starter, the gun
ports were faired over, the 'Sabrinas' were removed and smoke
generation equipment was fitted at the wing tips and the jet
pipe.
Flight tests to date have revealed outstanding clean aircraft
performance: time to 35,000 ft in 4 mins 35 secs at which
altitude 0.96 IMN was seen. At 11,000 ft straight and level
0.96 IMN was also seen whilst still accelerating on
throttling back. FAA requirements have been satisfied and
N81827 is certified. .