J
HKK 10/1
Hong Kong Department,
(61)
30 December, 1969.
Following your discussion with Sir Charles Elworthy shortly before your return to Hong Kong, you asked me to find out what the position would be after 1975 as regards the availability of pilots for flying Hunter fighters and the provision of spares for the maintenance of such aircraft.
The Ministry of Defence have now told us that there should be no difficulty over the availability of pilots and to begin with supplies of spares should be plentiful this is largely because the R.A.F.'s own stock will be gradually released during the period 1970/75). But they add that this does not necessarily mean that there will be a buyers' market. The Hunter has proved a very popular aircraft: it is still in strong demand and is likely to remain in service for a number of years with the Air Forces of some (less developed) countries. It is therefore expected that there will be keen competition for spares; they will become increasingly difficult to get and eventually supplies will dry up altogether.
(w.s. Carter)
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1970 Fib
Sir David Trench, G.C.M.G., M.C.,
Government House,
HONG KONG.
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