The Hawker Association continues to thrive and remains proactive in a number of areas, particularly where we are continuing to promote historical interest in Hawker companies and products. The ‘Hunter for Kingston’ project is at the heart of this activity, but we continue to support the Kingston Aviation Heritage Project and Brooklands Museum. With regard to the museum, the HA was instrumental in acquiring G-HAWK’s original wing to replace the Mk53 wing currently fitted, and we have assisted them with their successful bid to acquire the unique and partially built P1121 from the RAF museum where it has been unseen by the public in storage for over half a century since the project was cancelled in 1958.

In the Hunter project there were major achievements during 2022 and this year we will begin to finalise plans for the installation of the aircraft in Kingston. The President, Colin Wilson, stood in for me as Chairman for seven months last year after my extended term of office was concluded at the AGM last year. This provided me with a break before resuming the role in January, having agreed to do another term. We have co-opted one new member onto the committee, and we welcome David Collingridge and look forward to working with him.

Sadly we lost founder member of the Committee and Vice President of the Association, Ralph Hooper. His passing was much more significant than simply the loss of a colleague and Association Member because Ralph’s contribution to Hawker Aircraft Ltd/Hawker Siddeley Aviation/British Aerospace, Britain’s aircraft industry and the defence of the nation will forever be a benchmark standard. His outstanding achievements will always remain of great historical significance. The Association Committee assumed responsibility for the arrangements for Ralph’s funeral. David Hassard played a leading role in this activity, David Priddy conducted the funeral service and. Sir Colin Chandler delivered a eulogy. He is also making arrangements for a Ralph Hooper award at Cranfield University. Ralph’s ashes will be scattered at Brooklands museum where a plaque will be fixed to the memorial wall and we will develop plans for the long term conservation and display of his personal archives and awards. .