Hawker P.1081 "Australian"
Model Airplane News Cover Art for December, 1951
by Jo Kotula
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The Hawker P.1081, also known as the "Australian Fighter" was a British jet aircraft from the mid-twentieth century.

Hawker Aircraft, a British manufacturer, submitted a proposal to meet a specificationput out by the Australian government. It was for a swept-wing-and-tail fighter using a Rolls-Royce Tay engine. Work was started to modify the second prototype of the Hawker P.1052.

Hawker P.1052 Prototype
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The rear fuselage of the P.1052 was completely replaced with one having a straight-through jet pipe and swept tail surfaces. The first flight of the P.1081 took place on 19 June 1950 but, in November of that year, the Australian project was discontinued. The aircraft was handed over to the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE).

  

Photos of the Hawker P.1081 "Australian"
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Photos of the Hawker "Hunter"
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Here is a video of the 1950 Farnborough Air Show -- it includes a flyby of the P.1081.

In addition to the cover of Model Airplane News, this airplane was also featured in the WINGS "Friend or Foe" trading card series of the early 1950s

Trading card representation of the Hawker P.1081 "Australian"
Click Here to see all 200 cards in the series
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Click Here for more information about the Hawker P.1081 "Australian".

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