Hurricanes were also adapted to naval operations from aircraft carriers by the fitting of arrester hooks, and operated under the name "Sea Hurricane." For service in North Africa and in the Middle East, a "tropicalized" version was developed that featured dust filters for the engine air intake and other details that were dictated by operations and maintenance in desert conditions. The wing structure was changed to all-metal constant-speed propellers were adopted, and armor for the pilot and fuel tanks was added. Production orders followed for a total of 3,759 Hurricane Is, and later models brought the total number of Hurricanes to 14,557.ĭuring the production of the Mark I, the Hurricane adopted several significant state-of-the-art improvements. The prototype flew on November 1, 1935, and demonstrated a high speed of 315mph at 16,200 feet (5,000 meters). 303-rifle-caliber machine guns that were entirely enclosed in the thick wing. An official specification was written to cover the design, and on January 10, 1934, a contract for a prototype was awarded.ĭuring construction, the armament was revised to use eight. In September 1934, Hawker showed drawings of the new design (which used two nose guns and one gun in each wing) to the Air Ministry.
The details of the fuselage, tail, nose and radiator of the monoplane closely resembled those of the biplanes, but its major difference was the fitting of a metal-frame, fabric-covered monoplane wing that contained an inward-retracting landing gear. Previous Hawker fighters had all been biplanes, and the new Hurricane was a prime example of a transitional design. Camm sought to design a new monoplane to capitalize on this advanced engine, which was later ordered into production as the famous "Merlin." Its easy-maintenance features also reduced turnaround time.ĭesign of the Hurricane began in January 1934, as a private venture by the Hawker Aircraft Company of Kingston-On-Thames, when Sidney Camm became aware of a new 910hp Rolls-Royce engine that was being developed. There were 32 Hurricane squadrons in the battle (compared to 19 Spitfire squadrons), and the Hurricane's simple structure enabled damaged aircraft to be repaired more quickly. Although much of that glory must be shared with the Supermarine Spitfire, the Hurricane did the majority of the defensive work. Later in the war, the Hurricane served admirably in North Africa, Burma, Malta, and nearly every other theater in which the RAF participated.ĭelivery of the Hurricane to the squadrons began at the end of 1937, and in 1940, the plane went on to play a major role in the Battle of Britain. RAF Hurricanes accounted for more enemy aircraft kills than all other defenses combined, including all aircraft and ground defenses. During the "Battle of Britain", along with the Spitfire, it helped to force the Luftwaffe to use the Bf 109 to protect the poor performing twin engine Bf 110 escort fighter.Īugust 1940 brought what has become the Hurricane's shining moment in history: The Battle of Britain. This meant that 620 Hurricane and Spitfire fighters (with another 84 assorted fighters like the Gloster Gladiator) had to face the German air threat of 3,500 bombers and fighters. The Royal Air Force had at that time 32 Hurricane squadrons, compared with 19 Spitfire squadrons. Often underrated in favor of the Spitfire, the Hurricane was the main victor of the Battle of Britain. When it appeared in 1935, with eight guns, it was the world's most heavily armed fighter, and it was Britain's first to exceed 300mph. Monoplanes weren't new to the type, but the Hurricane set new standards of armament and performance in one stroke.
The Hawker Hurricane was a major milestone in the evolution of British fighter planes. Continued from above… monoplane & the true hero of the Battle of Britain.