CONFIDENTIAL
Mr. Sykes,
Defence Department
Reference..
59
Fighter Aircraft, Hong Kong
As you know, the Governor of Hong Kong was considerably influenced in his decision to abandon the idea of a permanent force of Hunter aircraft in the Colony by the fact that Hunters are to be "phased out" of the RAF (by 1975, I believe). He evidently took this to mean that it would be impossible to maintain the aircraft thereafter or to find pilots to fly them.
2. At lunch on 10 December Sir Charles Elworthy (C.D.S.) contested this interpretation of "phasing out", telling him that the aircraft could still be maintained after 1975 (there would be adequate spares) and that any trained fighter pilot would be competent to fly Hunters. Sir Charles did add that his view of the post-1975 situation ought to be checked with MOD.
3. The Governor has asked me to find out what the
situation will be after 1975 as regards aircraft maintenance and availability of pilots and I should be grateful if your Department could do this. I do not think that the Governor's interest implies that he is having second thoughts about the decision he has reached. It is more likely, I feel, that he wishes to be sure of the soundness of the arguments he may have to use in defending it.
15 December, 1969
b.s. Carter ал
(V. S. Carter)
Hong Kong Department
Mr. Thomas
以
Plean take this point up
RAT
15-x11
Spinen & J58 (th Hayward)
who will gun w
with D.S.8.
In Thaman os.
lation" afar urutang Enquire
сы
16/12
/Mr Carter.
CONFIDENTIAL