Flying the Hawker Hunter | Roger Hymans (Part 1) 

I flew a Hawker Hunter T2 once. I was an air cadet and won a draw, so the other cadets that day flew Bulldogs or Chipmunks & I got to fly in the Hunter. I wasn't allowed to perform the take-off or landing, but the take-off acceleration was one of the most memorable experiences of my life, as was the climb-out. I was given control as soon as the undercarriage was up & had verbal instruction until it was time to lower it again. It really felt like flying a fighter rather than a trainer, even though it was the T2 and had no weapons fitted. I believe that plane was one of the last few Hunters in the RAF, when they were normally used for avionics & systems testing and for calibrating air-defence radars. This interview was a delight, even without the trip down memory lane, I look forward to part 2.

Wow! What a true pleasure it is to listen to this man's early experiences in the RAF! I could listen to him all day. Thank You!

This channel needs more exposure, it captures real pilots stories from pilots that are invaluable and captures it for history.

The Hunter is got to be the most beautiful early jet

Sadly, last month I attended this great man’s funeral. Much missed by his loving family and many friends. A dynamic life lived to the full. I was so proud to have served firstly as his student and then as a junior fighter pilot under his leadership.

Those were the days when we had an Air Force with as many squadrons as we now have planes. Brought back memories of ATC camp at Chivenor and the Hunters, much happier days.

"...fitted with ejector seats, but not when I flew it..." Pretty sobering! A most gentle and relaxing interview. Great stuff as usual.

Roger Hymans was my instructor at Oxford (OATS) 1990 good to he's he's still doing well.

Brilliant....could listen to this chap all day !

Happy to find these two videoes. --- In 1972-74, as a RNoAF Exchange Instructor with RAF 63 Squadron, I had the pleasure to fly Hunter both Mk.VI, T7, F(GA)Mk IX, and FR. 10. Roger Hymans was my Boss - a great leader and friend. In June 2022, I will celebrate the 50th Anniversary. Great aircraft, great two years, and great memories!!!

What a great old boy. As casual as you like. Great interview.

I had the privilege of having Roger Hymans as my instructor on the first ever Gnat course at RAF Valley, and later as my Flight Commander on 208 Squadron Hunters at RAF Muharraq Bahrain. In an era when most instructors and commanders were distant authoritarians, usually horrid to junior pilots, I remember Roger and Alan Pollock (of Tower Bridge fame) as being the nicest and kindest of men, believing in the use of the carrot rather than the stick.

Roger Hymans was probably the best raconteur we had on Treble One Squadron, and it is still good to hear him pass on the information of what it was like to fly the Vampire and the Hunter. It is the kind of information we 'erks' would have loved to hear from them in those long ago days, when we strapped them to the steel and sent them off on a sortie. Happy daze.

I knew this interview was going to be great. I love listening to these older pilots. They're always full of fascinating information.

Man I wish this channel grows

I worked on Hunters at Chivenor, at West Raynham and Gibraltar and with training at Halton I probably did 10 years with them. Never flew in one though. Mine were Mk 6, 7 and 9.

Priceless memories ...

Brilliant loved the chat

Thanks for that one Mike. Most enjoyable.

The Hunter and the Spitfire epitomise the saying if it looks right it is right. Great interview as always thanks 👍

Marvellous interview with a fascinating,informative and entertaining gentleman. Thank you, made my day.

brilliant interview!

What a great guy and as usual a brilliant interview 👍

Excellent interview.

I really enjoyed this interview. It was one of the best!

14:28 - heard about a Phantom pilot getting laid out on the ramp one time by the target tug pilot, who identified the plane that missed the target and made holes in his tailplane!

Fantastic!

top stuff again.

One of Rhodesia air force favourite aircraft even shot a mig fighter down ideal for bush warfare. .along with the Canberra. .

Hey Roger !! Great interview !! Tahir Alam !!

It is a bit hard to call the Hurricane ugly - I see what you mean but maybe many liked it for the invaluable work it did during WW2

For those researchers who wish to further pursue their studies into the Hawker Hunter story, they would do well to visit the website at The Jever Steam Laundry, which records the stories of the Hunter squadrons who served at RAF Jever, north Germany from the years after WWII until 1960, when the station was returned to the Luftwaffe. The viewer will benefit from close study of the site which has many stories and photographs which ought to yield a very satisfying catalogue of detail. Just type in to Google: "Jever Steam Laundry" and take it from there.

Is that the Boscombe Down collection at Old Sarum? Only about two miles from where I live.

Part 2?

Shackelton???

Hymans' instructors seem to have figured out he is a bit more clever than they are, and in jealousy, gave him bad instruction.

Needs more wind noise. Perhaps wait until it's more windy then record in the middle of the runway?

What does a women,s Hymen got to do with fighter airplanes??????