As part of the RAF Display Season it is planned to prepare two Hawk T1s with a distinctive paint scheme for the 2009 season.
Valley Aviation Society has been enabled, by RAF Valley and Babcocks to record from start to finish, the application of the 2009 scheme.
The story began on a cold , windy March morning.
The first of the duo, XX307, stands silent and still. The airfield is awakening and the morning bustle is picking up tempo.
The Paint Shop at RAF Valley is empty, doors closed.
At 08.37 hrs on Tuesday the 3rd of March, the Ground Team, with “Duggie” the tractor, locked on to XX307 and began the slow and careful move into the Paint Shop.
The journey of change had begun.
Tuesday 3rd March
XX307 stands silently and expectantly outside the Paint Shop.
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The steady move into the Paint Shop, under the expert control of the Ground Team.
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With a last look at the outside, XX307 watches the doors close.
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Looking like men from outer space the ‘A’ Team begin the metamorphosis.
Wednesday 4th March
The first ideas of what the new scheme could possibly look like, as the proposed pattern is marked out.
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Wing tips included.
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The 2009 Display Pilot, Flt Lt Matt Barker of 208 Sqdn, in consultation about the scheme, with the ‘A’ Team of RAF Valley Paint Shop
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Friday 6th March
The main areas of change are now rubbed down and the other areas are masked off.
Monday 9th March
Preparations advance, with the primer being applied.
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Tuesday 10th March
Out of nowhere ( well not exactly!!) it seems, a ghostly shade of white now adorns the fuselage and fin.
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Wednesday 11th March
"It has to work because he said so!” The first stages of the design being applied.
Friday 13th March
Oops! Who spilt the tin of paint?
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Another ‘spaceman’ spreads the blues about.
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Definitely not a MAN U. supporter!!
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Thursday 19th March
Now lets get down to the H…….. of the matter.
Monday 23rd March
That’s what I said "the Heart of the matter".
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Thursday 25th March
More colourful doodles as the scheme progresses
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Now that’s unusual! A hint of what’s to come?
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Perhaps not
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That’s torn it !
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Friday 27th March
Various options were discussed by the Wing Commander, Sqdn Ldr and the ‘A’ Team as to the final finish.
An exquisite scheme ‘unfolds'
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Almost ready for the air. A few more important applications and XX307 will be ready to take to the stage.
Monday 30th March
XX307 complete and in its new coat of many colours.
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The ground team at RAF Valley begin easing out XX307 from the Paint Shop.
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XX307 emerges into the sunlight of a March afternoon.
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Wing Co. Jamie Hunter, CO 208 Sqdn, Flt Lt Matt Barker, 2009 Display Pilot, the 'A' Team, RAF Valley Paintshop and Group Capt Neil Connell, Base Commander.
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Flt Lt Matt Barker, the 2009 Hawk Display Pilot.
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The 2009 Display Hawk Colour Scheme
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Valley Aviation Society thanks all at RAF Valley, for the support and help in enabling the Society to record the changes to XX307.
Particular thanks go to the Paint Shop 'A' Team also Flt Lt Matt Barker, Display Pilot, Wing Co. Jamie Hunter, CO 208 Sqdn, Group Capt Neil Connell, Base Commander and not least Babcocks.
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