INDEX OF NAVAL AIRCRAFT

 

   Hawker Audax
 
Hawker Audax K2012 in RAF markings

History

The Hawker Audax was developed as a trainer for all major aircraft in service with RAF. The Audax was primarily a observation/light bomber variant of the Hawker Hart for the Army co-operation role. The aircraft first flew in 1932 and a total of 761 "Audax" were built by the end of production in 1937.  It had long exhaust pipes, a message pick-up hook, wheel brakes, and equipment for desert operations. The standard version resembled the Hart, but usually has exhaust pipes extending on both sides to mid-fuselage. It saw widespread use both in the UK and in the colonies. The RAF bought 624.
During WW2 the Fleet Air Arm had only four in Audax, transferred from the RAF for Royal Navy service. All four aircraft served with 780 squadron, a conversion course unit. The aircraft were numbered 50-53 from May 1941 until 1942 (eg K4395).

The last of Fleet Air Arm aircraft was struck off in January 1945.


            Fleet Air Arm history

         Total FAA 1939-1945:             4
            First delivered to RN:               May 1941-1942
            First squadron 1939-1945:         780 squadron
            Last served with RN                1942

Aircraft Type:
 Hawker Audax
Mark:
 -
Primary Role:
 Trainer/Reconnaisance
First Flight: 
 1932
Date operating with FAA squadrons:
 1941-1942
Manufacturer:
 Hawker
Engine:
 One 225 hp Rolls-Royce "Kestrel" IB engine 
 Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: 
 Wingspan: 11.4 m 
Length: 9.0 m 
Height: 3.2 m 
Wing area: 32.4 sq. m 
Empty Weight: Max.Weight:
 Empty weight: 1336 kg 
Takeoff weight: 1987 kg 
Speed: 

Ceiling: 

Range:

 Max. speed: 274 km/h 
Cruise speed: 240 km/h 
Climb rate: 5.9 m/s 
Ceiling: 6400 m
Range: 600 km 
Armament: 
 250 kg of bombs
Two 0.303 machine guns 
Crew:
 2
Squadrons:
 780 squadron
Battle honours:
 N/a
Additional references and notes:
 Sturtivant, R. & Burrow, M (1995)  'Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939 to1945'  Published by Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1995 ISBN: 0 85130 232 7 

Battle Honours and Operational History

The Audax of the Fleet Air Arm did not see any combat action. The type as employed by the Air force in Iraq flew combat missions during WWII.


Surviving aircraft and relics
Only one Hawker Audax is known to exist in the World. It is the airworthy G-BVVI owned and restored by Aero Vintage (UK)

Associations and reunions
None Known
 
FURTHER INFORMATION
  
Sturtivant, R. & Burrow, M (1995) 
  'Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939 to1945'  Published by Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1995 ISBN: 0 85130 232 7
Canadian Aces Home Page by Miles Constable Short details of the Hawker Biplane Series, Audax, Fury, and Hart 
   
 
Created 3-4-1999, Modified 3-4-2000
 

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