This time last year Brexit had become very toxic and we longed for
something different to talk about. A year on and some may wish that
Brexit was still the subject dominating all forms of media and so
constantly in our thoughts. A classic beware-of-what-you-wish-for
situation
2020 was planned to be another interesting year for
the Hawker
Association; a range of talks, a couple of away-days and implementation
of a few initiatives that would have brought the members together more.
However, with apologies to Ian Fleming, instead of shaken not stirred
we have it all on ice. As the nation begins to slowly move towards a
semblance of normality, this Summer issue of the newsletter illustrates
that the Hawker Association may be down at present - but it is not out.
Many of our members are usually very active within
the wider
aviation heritage environment, in particular at the Brooklands Museum
and the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection at Old Sarum. Some activity
has flown on but the majority has stalled. Brooklands has benefited
from our support in many ways; from routine involvement at the museum
as volunteers and trust members to fund raising and project assistance.
The closure in March has not only made a gap in our lives but has also
left the museum in a dire financial situation having been without gate
and hospitality income for so long. Brooklands is the most
comprehensive ‘Hawker’ museum in the world so our Association needs to
do everything possible to help when it re-opens, perhaps at the
beginning of August.
In 2019 our members were very active getting G-HAWK and XX154 (the
first Hawk to fly) into their new museum homes at Brooklands and Old
Sarum. It did not stop there as much work was needed on both. For
example they now have their engines fitted, the cockpits are almost
complete and XX154, which is in superb condition, can be viewed with
electrical power on. Most of the members of the Association worked on
the Hunter, Harrier, Sea Harrier and Hawk and if they visit both
museums they can all be seen, as a Sea Harrier is also at Old Sarum
with a Seahawk.
The Hunter for Kingston, XL623, has been delayed but
the restoration team has not had to completely stop work as some
components were moved to private locations. Work, observing national
restrictions, restarted on the wings and ailerons at Dunsfold in
mid-May. Before lockdown plans were progressing nicely in the Borough
of Kingston for the ‘Tudor Drive Pocket Park’, at the junction of
Richmond Road, Dukes Avenue and Tudor Drive, across the road from where
the ‘Hawker’ factory stood. This will be the new home for the Hunter
and is being developed to mark the centenary of Kingston’s aviation
industry. The Hawker Association has joined forces with the Kingston
Council and Kingston University in this enterprise. The area
surrounding the Hunter will be landscaped to “increase bio-diversity
and enhance the quality of the public realm across Kingston, including
the re-introduction of butterflies and pollinator friendly planting
schemes”.
As 2020 progresses and as we gain relief from the
restrictions, normal service will be resumed; it is just a matter of
time. Hang in there!
Chris Roberts, June 2020.