Hawker Hunter Mk 58
Hawker Aircraft · United Kingdom · first flew 1959 · fighter
The Hunter Mk 58 was an export variant of the Hawker Hunter F.6, supplied to Switzerland to equip the Swiss Air Force through the late 1950s and 1960s. It retained the same aerodynamic refinement and powerful Rolls-Royce Avon engine that made the Hunter one of the finest subsonic fighters of its era.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Avon turbojet exhausting under rear fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single swept-wing transonic jet fighter
- Avon turbojet exhausting under rear fuselage
- Prominent chin air intake below cockpit
Identical in outline to other Hunter F.6 variants — mid-mounted crescent-swept wings, large chin intake, and single Avon exhaust. Distinguished from earlier marks by the four-Aden-cannon nose pack and larger fuel capacity.
Specifications
- The Hawker Hunter Mk 58 has a length of 13.98 m (46 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.26 m (34 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1144 km/h (711 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Switzerland ordered the Hunter Mk 58 as part of a broader procurement to modernise its air defences, with deliveries commencing around 1959. The Swiss also acquired two-seat T Mk 68 trainers to support the type. The Hunter served the Swiss Air Force for decades before being retired in the 1990s.
Variants
The Mk 58 is the Swiss single-seat fighter export version of the F.6; the companion T Mk 68 is the two-seat trainer equivalent, and many Swiss aircraft were later upgraded with avionics improvements.
Where you'll see it
Operated exclusively by the Swiss Air Force; surplus Swiss Hunters were subsequently sold to operators including India and various air display collections.
Related aircraft
- Hawker Hunter T.7
- Hawker Hunter
- Hawker P.1067 (Hunter Prototype)
- Hawker Sea Hawk
- Aero L-29 Delfin
- Avro Canada VZ-9 Avrocar
- Dassault Mirage IIIB
- English Electric Lightning F.1
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.