Following the sale of Hunters to Peru in 1955—6. achieved in the face of strong American competition. Hawker Aircraft Lid launched a determined sales drive to interest other Latin American countries in the aircraft. In October 1966, following protracted negotiations. a contract was signed for the delivery of an initial batch of fifteen cx-RAF, Netherlands and Belgian Hunter F.6s. all brought up to full FGA.9 standard under the designation FGA.Mk.71, to the Fucrza Aerea de Chile (FAC). Under the same contract, three fighter-reconnaissance Hunters — all ex-RAF Mk.6s brought up to FR It) standard - — were also to he supplied under the designation FR.Mk.71A. Nine more FGA,71s were ordered in 1969. together with an additional three FR.7lAs, and a further four FGA.71s were supplied in 1973. Six two-seaters were also delivered under the designation T.Mk.72; these included the former G-APUX. Hawker’s much-travelled two-seater demonstrator.
Chile’s Hunters formed two squadrons, (Irupo 8 at Los Cerrillos and Grupo 9 at Puerto Montt; both units later moved w Antofagasta (Cerro Moreno AFB) to form Ala I (No I Wing). In 1973 some of Ala l’s Hunters were used in rocket attacks on the presidential palace during the military coup that ousted President Allende. In 1974, political considerations led to the British Government imposing an embargo on the supply of military spares to Chile, and as a result the number of serviceable Hunters dwindled from forty to about twenty during the next six years. However, the embargo was lifted in 1981, and negotiations resumed for the supply of spares and complete Hunters. These were accelerated when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands in April 1982; eight Hunters were at once transferred from No I TWU at Brawdy to RAF Abingdon, where they were crated and taken by road to Brizc Norton. They were then ferried to Chile in a Boeing 747 freighter in two batches of four. the first on 24 April and the second on 22 May. The RAF serials of these aircraft were XE546, XE582, XF376, XF442, XJ6Xo. XJ688. XK137 and XK138. Three Canberra PR.9s were also shipped to Chile at this time. The details behind this deal have never been revealed. It may have been a straight. forward contract, negotiated before the Falklands War, or it may be that the Hunters and Canberras were delivered to Chile in exchange for use of her air bases, if need be. Later in the year — in November four more Hunters (XF445, XG291. XJ687 and XKI4I) were also supplied from RAF stocks. The Hunter were still in first- line service with the FAC early in 1988,
