valley aviation society.net

VAS Cabin

RAF VALLEY 2011 DISPLAY HAWK SCHEME

Introduction of the 2011 Display Hawk Colour Scheme

Valley Aviation Society have been invited, once again, to record the process for the 2011 Hawk Display Scheme. It is with pleasure that the Society acknowledges this privilege.

Flight Lieutenant Juliette (Jules) Fleming 2011 BAe Hawk Display Pilot

Flight Lieutenant Juliette (Jules) Fleming, aged 32, was born in Cambridge and educated at Ipswich High School GPDST. Prior to finishing her A Levels she was awarded a Flying Scholarship from the RAF. During her GAP year she completed the Scholarship and subsequently her Private Pilots Licence at Seawing Flying Club, Southend. She then spent 3 months in Maine, USA, teaching children of all ages to ride horses. On return to the UK she decided to pursue a full time career in the RAF and started Initial Officer Training at RAF Cranwell in February 1999.

Following Elementary Flying Training on the Firefly at RAF Church Fenton, Jules was selected for fast jet training on the Tucano and Hawk. Following completion of the Advanced Flying Training on 208 Sqn, RAF Valley, she was selected to remain for instructional duties. In 2005, she returned to the training system to complete the Tactical Weapons Phase on 19 Sqn and on completion was posted to the Tornado GR4 Operational Conversion Unit, RAF Lossiemouth. From there she was posted to 31 Sqn, RAF Marham, where she completed tours in Iraq and Afghanistan supporting UK Operations.

In 2010, Jules was posted back to 208 Sqn, RAF Valley, where she is currently serving as a Qualified Flying Instructor. She is also an Equestrian enthusiast having represented the RAF on many occasions, the most recent being part of the winning team at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in front of Her Majesty, The Queen. Her other interest is any form of motor sports, ranging from competing in a National Race series in 2004 to organising and taking part in numerous Karting events around the UK.

Biography courtesy of RAF Valley

Thanks are due to Flt Lt Jules Fleming, Babcock, Bae Systems and RAF Valley.

Photos by Mr Tom Brown

Quick Links

13th April	14th April	15th April	18th April	19th April	20th April	21st April
26th April	27th April	28th April	3rd May	4th May	5th May	6th May
9th May	10th May	11th May	12th May	13th May	16th May	17th May
18th May	19th May

Wednesday 13th April 2011

Mild, cloudy with winds gusting 35mph - it sounds like a weather forcast but it was the conditions prevailing at RAF Valley, as the roll in of the Display Hawk XX244 was awaited.

XX244 stood, on a very busy dispersal, with remove before flight markers blowing wildly in the wind. At 1402hrs Zulu, XX244 began her move towards the Paint Shop at RAF Valley

Thursday 14th April 2011

Slow and meticulous removal of all minor markings began. The trial application of the 2011 scheme was put in place.

A conundrum! When is a straight line not a straight line?
Answer - when applied to the compound curves of a BAE Hawk jet trainer.

Friday 15th April 2011

Phase two of interpreting the design proposals now underway. Initial markings applied awaiting the approval of the Display Pilot Flt Lt Jules Fleming.

Jules visited the Paint Shop and had discussions with the 'Team', following which minor adjustments were made and incorporated before the preparation of templates, for the design were attended to.

Monday 18th April 2011

Beginning the second week for XX244. Once again, with with all vestiges of the 2011 design removed, XX244 awaits rubbing down.

All markings other than the National set have been removed and taping up has commenced.

Tuesday 19th April 2011

From early, overlapping teams of Painters worked intensively rubbing down the fuselage and wings. By 1105 hrs Zulu XX244 was an almost blank canvas.

Top panels having been removed and taken to another part of the Paint Shop, meant it was a moment for the sanders to cool off and have a welcome cup of tea!

Wednesday 20th April 2011

To paraphrase a famous saying by Ken Dodd .. 'where's my ...towel!!!'

Having rubbed down extensive areas of the upper surfaces the Painters began the preparation for applying the primer.

It was Bath Time!! for XX244, any dust from the previous process was washed away to leave a clean surface for the forthcoming black primer.

Another milestone achieved.

Thursday 21st April 2011

Today was to see fresh paint applied to XX244. At 0957 hrs Zulu the Display Jet sat with the first of two coats of primer. Within the hour the second coat was in place.

It was now time to begin the preparations for the Top coat of high gloss black paint.

Despite the fog of overspray pervading the the Paint Shop Bay, one was able to see that this phase for XX244 was near to the end.
By 1500hrs Zulu the final coat was finished with a long weekend ahead, for XX244, for it to mature.

Tuesday 26th April 2011

One could perhaps call this day ‘wings day’ – with the fuselage having been wrapped, the main planes were primed and then glossed. Giving a fresh pristine flying surface.

Wednesday 27th April 2011

Snagging-
As we all know every Lady likes to look her best, so XX244 was found to be unhappy with her foundation. An examination of the fuselage was carried out and it was decided that a resuiting was called for.
The state of XX244 and the work to date was reviewed as part of the snagging process and a further rubdown and adjustment was undertaken.

Thursday 28th April 2011

XX244 awaits her finery and is beginning to look every inch a lady.
Having had the snagging problems resolved, XX244 is now resplendent in her final black gloss finish.

Tuesday 3rd May 2011

The scheme markings for 2011 were mapped out. Carefully applying the master lines and coping with ‘curved’ straight lines!

The Painting Team gradually built the design concept onto XX244.

Wednesday 4th May 2011

Reflections of the Lady in Black

Having successfully obtained her PDA Flt Jules Fleming Hawk Display Pilot 2011, popped over to the Paint Shop at RAF Valley and inspected the progress on applying the 2011 Display Design on XX244.
She expressed an affinity with XX244 and was pleased to see her ‘soul mate’ was looking good.

Thursday 5th May 2011

Continuing with the basic preparation, large areas within the design were rubbed down in readiness for the white gloss stage. Masking, shrouding and cleaning paved the way for the first coat of primer.

Friday 6th May 2011

Now in primer XX244, bearing what has been said to be a simple design, but far from it, had the first coat of white gloss applied.
Eureka it’s looking good!

Monday 9th May 2011

The tempo on preparing the 2011 Display Hawk is increasing in pace and the early signs of the design are emerging.

Tuesday 10th May 2011

First White, then Blue and now Red. The fundamental design elements are now in place on XX244.

At the same time as XX244 is being prepared so too is a Pilot’s Helmet. Approval has been granted for Flt Lt Fleming to have a special marked helmet. The first stage of it’s preparation began today.

Wednesday 11th May 2011

All covers off reveal the strong colours of the 2011 Display Hawk Design. The dedicated team of Painters at RAF Valley show the initial stages of the 2011 Design at last.

Thursday 12th May 2011

With XX244 up on Aircraft Jacks, planning of the lower surface design took place.
Wings, tailplane and fuselage arrows were marked out. After which XX244 was wrapped in a gossamer coat – ahhh back into the chrysalis!!

The application of the design for Jule’s Helmet was also progressing

Friday 13th May 2011

The ventral areas of XX244 having been marked were duly primed. Additional design elements, for placement on XX244, were studied and prepared and the Helmet for Jules, underwent a further stage of painting.

Work was scheduled for the coming weekend to consolidate the progress so far.

Monday 16th May 2011

The Paint Shop at RAF Valley, week five begins for XX244. The final stages of the design, now adjusted and becoming visible as the wraps are removed. It is now up to the Painting Team to start the application of over 200 mandatory markings.

Tuesday 17th May 2011

At the Paint Shop at RAF Valley the frenetic pace continued on over the next two days. Major and Minor markings were put in place. Final touch ups, snagging and key elements of the Display Team’s Focus Charity were added to XX244.

Wednesday 18th May 2011

Display Pilot Fl Lt Jules Fleming stopped by the Paint Shop occasionally to view the changes and capture for herself a few pics (watch out Tom, this Ace Pilot is also a no mean photographer!!)

The finished Display Pilot’s Helmet, with its cracking design by KB, was also handed to Jules for - ‘ Fitting for use’.

Thursday 19th May 2011

ROLLOUT of XX244 AM

Early morning (some would say very early!) on this important day
The Paint Shop Bay at RAF Valley is silent after all the coming and goings of the past weeks. No sound but for the murmur of the wind through unlocked doors.

XX244 resplendent in her coat of many colours, stands a credit to the RAF, RAF Valley, RAFA and the Team of Painters who have toiled with her over the last five weeks.

Proudly wearing the name of the Hawk Display Pilot, XX244 is seen in a moment of repose before rolling out into the Spotlight of the 2011 Display Season.