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#1641 11 Sqn, Hawk Mk167 Squadron Print

11 Sqn, Hawk Mk167 Squadron Print
Purchased products will not feature the Squadron Prints watermark
£10.00 €12.08 $12.55
43.8 cm x 29.2 cm
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Print
Hawk Mk167
ZB131
11 Sqn
RAF Leeming
UK - Air Force; Qatar - Air Force
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Description

Squadron Print Lithograph No. 1641 - ZB131, Hawk Mk167, 11 Squadron Qatar Emeri Air Force, RAF Leeming.

The origins of 11 Squadron Qatar Emiri Air Force can be traced back to Qatar’s declaration of independence on 1 September 1971. Initial requirements called for a number of Hawker Hunters. All aircraft were sourced from surplus Royal Netherlands Air Force stock and were converted to Qatari standard in the UK before being flown to Qatar. Three single-seat Hunter FGA Mk78 and one two-seat Hunter T Mk79 were delivered in December 1971. Together with two Whirlwind helicopters they formed the backbone of the Operational Squadron, the first squadron to be formed. The Qatar Emiri Air Force itself was formed in 1974, maintaining strong ties with the United Kingdom and France. The first aircraft were mainly flown by UK nationals, supplemented by a few Qatari pilots. It was soon established that there was a requirement for a trainer and light attack jet aircraft and the decision was made to purchase the Dassault Alpha Jet E. The six Alpha Jets were delivered in 1980, increasing the training capability of the Air Force. In 1984, 11 Squadron was formed as a Close Air Support Squadron operating the six Alpha Jets. Its main roles were the training of pilots for operational and tactical missions as well as close air support of the Qatari land and naval forces. During the first Gulf War, the Alpha Jets flew maritime patrol missions over Qatar to protect the State from any possible Iraqi invasion. For this, they were armed with a centreline-mounted 30mm gun pod as well as bombs and rocket pods. With the introduction of the Mirage F1 and later the Mirage 2000 in the Qatar Emiri Air Force, the squadron training role was expanded as more pilots were required for the frontline squadrons. The squadron conducted ground school for Alpha Jet refresher and conversion courses, provided advanced and operational flying training as well as leadership and tactical weapons training for operational pilots. Strong ties with the UK remained in place and in September 2017, Qatar and the UK signed a deal for the purchase of 24 Eurofighter Typhoons and nine BAE Systems Hawk Mk167 Advanced Jet Trainers. BAE Systems has also been awarded a six-year contract to deliver training and support for the Hawk aircraft. As part of a wider military co-operation agreement between Qatar and the United Kingdom, it was confirmed that the Hawks would be based at RAF Leeming in a joint operating unit. The first Hawk Mk167 flew from BAE Systems Warton in mid 2021 and the first two aircraft were delivered to Leeming in September of the same year, with the first Qatari students beginning ground school soon after. On 24 November 2021 it was announced that the Joint Hawk Squadron would carry the number plate of 11 Squadron Qatar Emiri Air Force, continuing their long tradition of training the finest fighter pilots in the World.

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