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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Sean Murphy

Royal Navy Hawk jets heading to Scotland this week on farewell flight, here is where you can spot them

A squadron of iconic British fighter jets is heading to Scotland this week on a farewell tour.

The Royal Navy confirmed the Hawk jets of RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall will set out from their base in the south-west of England before heading to Prestwick in Scotland on Thursday (March 17).

They are set to arrive at Prestwick before returning to Cornwall on the Friday.

The Royal Navy say the Hawks have played a significant role in defence for 40 years, playing the role of hostile aircraft or incoming missiles to train ships' companies and Royal Navy fighter controllers in air defence.

They added that they are now "bidding farewell to these veteran aircraft".

Four jets from 736 Naval Air Squadron will fly from Cornwall to Prestwick in Scotland and back again the following day as part of the farewell flight.

The Hawks have played a significant role in defence for 40 years (Royal Navy)

Here are the timings for when you can expect to see them in the skies around Prestwick:

(All timings are approximate and weather dependent) however the flight plan is as follows:

Thursday, March 17: Depart Culdrose at 3.30pm, flypasts at Plymouth 3.40pm; RNAS Yeovilton 3.55pm; Bournemouth Airport 4.05pm, Portsmouth 4.15pm and arriving at Prestwick shortly after 5pm .

Friday, March 18: Depart Prestwick 11am ; flypasts of RAF Valley 11.25am; Pembrey 11.50am; Newquay 12 noon; and arrive at Culdrose 12.15pm.

People are sad to hear the jets will be going, Annette Johns said: "This is a very very sad day to lose these awesome planes, please let them be replaced as we're very proud of these."

Another fan added: "The Hawks have done a great job with the Royal Navy since replacing the Hunters of FRADU in 1994, when the type officially entered Fleet Air Arm service.

"The civilian engineering team always kept the Hawks serviceable and on the line, ready for taskings.

"A great shame to see them go."

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