TNAG-0061-FCO40-97-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 70

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INCLOSURE TO COS 1419/7/6/68 (Continued)

night all-weather capability, subsonic and armed with guns only) it would be an appropriate aircraft to fulfil the purely political requirement of deterrence in the particular circum-

stances of Hong Kong.

5. A number of these aircraft will become available in the

Far East in 1970 on the withdrawal of No 20 Squadron, but there is a considerable demand for the Hunter F/GA9 from

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and

other sources not least from the Singapore Government

the establishment of aircraft in Hong Kong might necessitate

a re-assessment of customer priorities.

6. Where technical considerations are concerned, the average

Hunter mainplane fatigue life would enable the aircraft to

continue in service until 1974/75. However, it is probable

that any FEAF aircraft would require part re-conditioning,

which would involve some 7,500 man hours and take up to five

months to complete.

Unit Establishment

7. Aircraft. An element with a unit establishment of 4 x

Hunter F/GA9 and 1 x Hunter T7 aircraft could be provided from

RAF resources. However, our withdrawal from Singapore would

preclude the possibility of flying in replacement aircraft,

and it would therefore be prudent to store in the Colony a

further two or three aircraft to allow for wastage and repair.

Personnel. Because of the high cost of manpower and

overall technical backing, we assume that anything deeper than

first line servicing and associated rectification would have

to be carried out under contract by HKAEC. The operation of

first line support of a unit of the size envisaged would require six officers (aircrew) and 45-50 ground crew (either RAF or

8.

HKAEC).

Unit Manning

9. Aircrew. Despite its limited capability in the air

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