Hawker Hunter
FR.10 & PR.11


Hunter FR.10

In the mid 1950's, the British Air Ministry called for the development of a photographic reconnaissance version of the Hunter, so a Fighter Mk4 (F.4) version was modified by removing the nose housing that contained the radar and replacing it with a nose fitted with five cameras positions. This project was undertaken by the Company and so they did not receive any funding from the Ministry. In the end, the RAF decided to go with a three camera system that was to be based on the FR.6 variant. Fitted into the nose were three Vinten F.95 cameras (fitted either with 4 inch or 12 inch focal length lenses) ,one fitted facing forward and the other two, one each side of the nose for oblique photography.

I wish to thank Richard Ellis for supplying the two images below, they show cameras being fitted into the nose of a
Hunter FR.10 of 1417 FR Flight, Strike Wing, Khormaksar 1967.
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Hunter FR.10 with camera nose removed


Click the two photo thumbnails to see enlargements

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Fitting possibly a F.95 12" camera in to the nose cone
A number of other items were also added to this version,  namely a brake chute, armour plating under the cockpit floor, the provision of fitting 230 gallon drop tanks and a voice recorder in the cockpit, this reduced the workload for the pilot, thus not having to make notes during a low-level sortie. The FR.10 also retained it's four 30 mm Aden cannons giving it a secondary ground-attack capability.
Deliveries of the Fighter Reconnaissance Mk10 (FR.10) began in 1960, the first Squadrons to receive their FR Hunter's, both stationed in West Germany, were 4 Squadron in January and 2 Squadron in March of that year  (both Squadrons replacing their Swift FR.5's). 
Also, a number were sent to the Middle East and served on 8 Squadron in Aden.

I would like to thank Ray Deacon of radfanhunter.co.uk for supplying the images below of FR.10's
All images are (c) Ray Deacon

click on thumbnails for enlargements

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Hunter FR.10, XF441-JD, on the line in 1417 Flight markings at Khormaksar in 1964. - (c) radfanhunter.co.uk
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Hunter FR.10,XE614-W, from 8 Squadron at Khormaksar 1962. - (c) radfanhunter.co.uk
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Following repair and repaint due to bird strike a Hunter FR.10, XF436-U, from 8 Squadron at Khormaksarin 1963
(c) radfanhunter.co.uk
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Hunter FR.10, XF460-X, from 8 Squadron at Khormaksar awaiting engine run in 1963. - (c) radfanhunter.co.uk
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An 8 Squadron Hunter FR.10, XE599-X, at Khormaksar undergoing hydraulic system tests in 1962. - (c) radfanhunter.co.uk
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Hunter FR.10, XE589-V, 8 Squadron awaiting an engine run at Khormaksar in 1962 - (c) radfanhunter.co.uk
Hunter PR.11
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Royal Navy PR.11 XE689 Date - 1967. - (c) Ray Deacon - radfanhunter.co.uk

The Royal Navy, in 1962, obtained a number of ground attack GA.11's, to be use as an advanced weapons trainer. All of them were refurbished conversions of F.4's. A number were fitted with a reconnaissance camera nose like that of the FR.10 and given the title PR.11. However, they were never used on operational duties.
   

Overseas Users of Reconnaissance Hunters
Jordan - FR.6,
a F.6 with the camera set-up of a FR.10

Iraq - FR.59B

Chile - FR.71A

Singapore FR.74A / 74B

Abu Dhabi FR.76A,
one being passed to Somalia


Chilean FR.71A

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