British Aerospace (Hawker-Siddeley) Hawk
The Royal Air Force's primary jet trainer was developed in the early 1970s as a successor of the Folland Gnat. Hawker-Siddeley responded to the requirement with model P.1182, that received the name Hawk. It proved to be a popular training aircraft and even an export success.
The Hawk is a single engine jet with several specific elements that make it stand out between similar aircraft. Typical are the small, flattened oval shaped air intakes in front of the wing roots and the curved leading edge of the vertical stabiliser. Also note the horizontal stabiliser with significant anhedral. The canopy looks much like that of the MB339.
The nose and canopy are not very remarkable, but together with the small flattened oval shaped air intakes they form a good recognition point.
The leading edge of the Hawk's vertical stabiliser has a S-shaped curve, all the way to the top of the trailing edge. Note the anhedral of the horizontal stabiliser.
Different versions
How to recognise the different versions of the British Aerospace Hawk will be added later.
Confusion possible with
Soko G-4 Super Galeb
The Super Galeb may be aircraft looking the closest to the Hawk. But the vertical stabiliser has no curved leading edge, making a mix-up less likely than it may seem at first.
IAR-99
Clearly another look-a-like of the Hawk, but with straight wings and also no curved leading edge of the vertical stabiliser. The tail is more similar to that of the MB339. (photo: Cătălin Cocîrlă/WikiMedia)
Aermacchi MB339
Especially the nose section of the MB339 is very similar to that of the Hawk. The landing gear is shorter though and the air intakes are nearly round. Furthermore the MB339 has straight wings and no curved leading edge of the vertical stabiliser.
Aermacchi MB326
The MB326 is the predecessor of the MB339 above, but looks less like the Hawk. Similar to the MB339 the MB326 has straight wings, small, nearly round air intakes and no curved leading edge of the vertical stabiliser.
CASA C-101 Aviojet
The CASA Aviojet has a sort of long and narrow bean-shaped air intakes. The exhaust is below the horizontal stabiliser, before the end of the fuselage. Like the other look-a-likes of the Hawk it lacks the curved leading edge of the tail.
Aero L-39 Albatross
The Aero Albatros also has bigger air intakes than the Hawk. They have the shape of half circles, and are placed at the side of the fuselage, just after the cockpit. In addition the Albatross has straight wings.