19 Squadron (F) Special Scheme Hawk 2008 2008 marks the 70th anniversary of 19(F)Sqn equipping with the Spitfire at Duxford in Cambridgeshire, making 19sqn the first RAF squadron to equip with the famous fighter. To mark this anniversary and help publicize their fundraising endeavors, 19 (F) Sqn have received both sponsorship and special permission to repaint a Hawk fast jet trainer in a camouflage scheme as worn by the Spitfires when first issued. This would be the first time a serving RAF aircraft has worn a green brown camouflage scheme in many years. With special permission from RAF Valley and Babcock's, Valley Aviation Society will provide progress reports of XX184 until the aircraft is finished and presented to Wing Commander Adrian Hill for the official unveiling ceremony (1st of May 2008). Read the full story Thursday 1st May 2008 Scramble! Scramble! At 1035hrs on this sunny May morning Hawk T1 XX184 of 19 Squadron bridged 70 years of time when 'Python 3' rolled, piloted by Wing Co. Adrian Hill and crewed by Flt Lt 'Paddy' Ireland. XX184 took to the air from RAF Valley - a stirring and memorable sight.   Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image.   The 'A' team -The Master Painters of RAF Valley Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image.   Valley Base Commander and Wing Commander of 19 Sqdn join with the Paint Shop Team Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Wednesday 30th April 2008 The first sight of XX184 in all her splendour evoked memories of years long gone. Resplendent in her 1938 guise the lady seemed so tranquil yet had the order to Scramble been given. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Tuesday 29th April 2008 The steady progress of applying the various warning and safety markings continued only to be interrupted by the armourers attending to fit the external stores, gunpod and pylons. At last XX184 was looking the part. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Monday 28th April 2008 Bullseye- well perhaps not. The initial stages of applying the roundels to XX184 was well in hand by 1300hrs. The efforts of the Paint Shop Team were acknowledged when Grp Cpt Connell, the Base Commander of RAF Valley, called in to view progress. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Saturday 26th April 2008 Once again XX184 was wrapped in a gossemer blanket. The meticulous process of applying approximately 270 stencils began. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Friday 25th April 2008 The Paint Team began marking out for Roundels and spraying parts which hitherto had been out of reach. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Thursday 24th April 2008 The fuselage, painted the previous day, had once again been protected in preparation for painting of wings and fin. By 1145hrs the fin and wings had had the camouflage scheme applied. Come 1500hrs the ground crew had put XX184 back on her own legs. With coverings removed XX184 stood majestically with her new coat of colours. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Wednesday 23rd April 2008 Drawings and Regulations to hand, the marking out of the upper wing and fuselage scheme progressed leaving XX184 looking more like a hovercraft than a fast jet. In the afternoon the team suited up again to put the various coats of the top scheme on XX184's fuselage. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Tuesday 22nd April 2008 The meticulous preparation of masking the fuselage and other areas prior to applying the aluminium undersurface began early on Tuesday morning. By afternoon the Painting Team had applied along the fuselage and wings this unique colour scheme. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Monday 21st April 2008 By 1400 hrs the careful process of degreasing had been completed prior to the application of the primer. XX184 surrounded by white suited persons began to take on a whole new character. Going, going, gone was the dark dingy grey.The bright primer started to show the lady in a whole new light. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Sunday 20th April 2008 Yes, by Sunday, the Paint Shop Team had managed to denude the lady. XX184 was indeed a sorry sight, yet still exuded a quiet dignity. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Friday 18th April 2008 Gone was the pristine shiny black and almost two thirds of the fuselage had been rubbed down to base. the contrast clearly shown in the view of XX184. Whilst this was happening various external store were also prepared. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Tuesday 15th April 2008 The Babcock paint shop team, making the necessary preparations. By 0900 hrs Hawk XX184 had been placed on service jacks and the undercarriage retracted. Initial preparation began. The airframe was throughly washed and delicate areas protected. By 1300 hrs an extensive area of the lower fusulage had been sanded. Work proceeded over the next 48 hrs. Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Tom Brown Monday 14th April 2008 At 13.30 hrs Hawk T1 XX184 was quietly towed from the short line and carefully backed into the Paint Shop Bay at RAF Valley. Hawk XX184 has recently returned from service with Royal Navy's Fleet Requirements Air Direction Unit(FRADU) Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Dimitris Click of the thumbnail to view larger image. Photos by Dimitris Friday 11th April 2008 The confirmation of approval to create a 70th Anniversary Scheme was received during the afternoon and was announced by Wing Co A. Hill CO of 19Sqdn.   Back to top   Home | About Us | Galleries | News | Contact Us | Guestbook | Links Website design & graphics by Dimitris