Royal Navy Hawk jet's wheels turn one last time before becoming a gate guardian
The wheels of RNAS Culdrose's last remaining Hawk T1 have turned one last time as the jet was moved to become the station's new gate guardian.
It will sit permanently by the roundabout to The Lizard in Cornwall.
A gate guardian is a retired or decommissioned aircraft that is put on display, acting as a reminder of the contribution it made to defence.
Timelapse footage shared by RNAS Culdrose shows the final Hawk being transported across the base, travelling up a runway before arriving at its final destination.
The Hawk T1 jets were retired in 2022 and are now only flown by the Red Arrows display team.
The iconic jet was in service for nearly 50 years and had been used to train Royal Navy and RAF fast jet pilots.
It's been one of the most successful and important British jets ever built, serving around the world with the UK and other air forces.
The Hawk was never used in a frontline role by the UK but pilots trained in these aircraft and used them as a stepping stone for larger and faster jets.
As the jets were retired from Royal Navy service in March 2022, Lieutenant Commander Jason Flintham, commanding officer of 736 Naval Air Squadron, said he was sad to see them go.
"It has to be acknowledged that this is a sad day for everyone involved with the Hawks, but we should not lose sight of the significant contribution these aircraft have made to defence.
"I think it's fair to say that the Hawk jets have been the outstanding workhorse of the military," he added.
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