VP401 was Hawker's P.1040 prototype and the first aircraft in the Sea Hawk lineage. Bill Humble flew it from Boscombe Down on 2 September 1947, beginning the development programme that led to the Fleet Air Arm's Sea Hawk fighter and strike variants.
Identity
Aliases
VP401Hawker P.1040Sea Hawk first prototype
Name
Hawker P.1040 prototype VP401
Status
retired
Details
Description
VP401 was Hawker's P.1040 prototype and the first aircraft in the Sea Hawk lineage. Bill Humble flew it from Boscombe Down on 2 September 1947, beginning the development programme that led to the Fleet Air Arm's Sea Hawk fighter and strike variants.