Hawker Hurricane

Hawker Hurricane was the first hunter monoplane of the Royal Air Force. It was illustrated in particular at the time of the Bataille of England, during the Second world war. A total of 14 200 specimens were built, used by several allied air forces.

Design

To build the successor of the Hawker Fury, the research department of Hawker naturally chooses the technique of manufacture which made the reputation of their firm. This process, a robust timber structure and cloth-lined metal tubes, made it possible to obtain an apparatus easier to produce, more resistant and less expensive than its contemporaries with metal coating working. In spite of this obsolete design, its retractable landing gear and its armament of eight machine-guns Browning 303 make of it the British hunter most modern of the time.

Left 4 months hardly before the Spitfire, Hurricane accomplished its first flight on November 6th 1935 under the name of K5083. Conceived by Sidney Camwood, it was been driven by an engine Rolls-Royce Goshawk which will quickly be replaced by most powerful PV-12. Cruelly missing fast enough apparatus for the interception of the bombers, the Royal Air Force ordered 600 specimens in June 1936 and the first models became operational in December 1937 within Fighter Command. Squadron 111 based with Northolt received the first apparatuses. The following year, squadrons 3 and 56 accepted in their turn of Hurricanes.

Contrary to Spitfire, Hurricane will practically not evolve/move thereafter.

Engagement

Second world war

In 1939, at the beginning of the Second world war, only 500 Hurricane are in service. They will be 2 300 at the beginning of the Battle of England, including 1.451 built with the Canada because of the difficulty of producing them with the the United Kingdom following the German bombardments. During the Battle of England, Hurricanes will be charged to deal with the German bombers, the more powerful Spitfire dealing with its side of the unfavourable hunters. Thereafter, Hurricane will more have a role of fighter-bomber, such as for example on the beaches of Dieppe, or like hunter of tank in North Africa. The Naval Aviation will use also a version equipped with two bombs of 114 kilos, called Hurribomber .

Battle of France

In answer to a request of the French government to provide an air support of 10 squadrons of combat, Hugh Dowding the commander-in-chief of RAF Fighter Command insisted on the fact that this would exhaust British defenses severely. Thus, only 4 squadrons of Hurricanes (Our. 1,73,85 and 87) were relocated in France, preserving the Spitfires for the defense of the British territory. However, after the arrival of the No.73 squadron the September 10th 1939 then of the three others a little later squadrons 607 and 615 rejoignèrent them. In May of the following year, squadrons 3,79 and 504 reinforced the device because the German Blitzkrieg concentrated its dash. The May 13rd 1940, thirty-two Hurricanes additional arrived. Thus, the ten necessary squadrons were operational on the French soil. With the May 17th, end of the first week of combat, only three of the squadrons were fully operational, but in spite of heavy losses, Hurricanes managed to destroy close to the German double of apparatuses.

The May 27th 1940, 13 apparatuses of squadron 501 intercepted 24 Heinkel He 111 escorted by 20 Messerschmitt Bf 110, and during the battle which follows, 11 Heinkels were proven shot down or damaged, with small damage for Hurricanes.

Battle of England

At the end of June 1940, after the French rout, the majority of the 36 squadrons of engagements of the RAF were equipped with Hurricanes. Officially, the Bataille of England extended of July 1st 1940 with the October 31st 1940, but the largest combat occurred of the August 8th 1940 with the September 21st 1940. Generally, the Supermarine Spitfires intercepted the hunters and let Hurricanes cut down the bombers. During this period, Hurricanes added up the greatest number of victories of the RAF.

Russian Face

Hurricanes Mk.II played a part in the air défence in 1941 when the Soviet Union was found under the threat of the German army. Indeed, this one extended from Leningrad/Moscow with the oil fields in the South. The decision of the British to send vivres by the sea bound for the ports of north exposed the convoys to the attacks of the Luftwaffe based in the close Finland. Thus, was decided to protect the convoy using Hurricanes Mk.IIb from Squadrons 81 and 134. Twenty-four of them were transferred onto HMS Argus and arrived at Mourmansk the August 28th 1941. Fifteen other apparatuses were transferred onto trading vessels. Also, in addition to their main mission, they escorted Russian bombers. As from October, the enemy attention on the zone declined. The pilots of the RAF involved Soviet to operate themselves on Hurricanes. With the end of the year, the role of the RAF in this zone finished. But these planes were the first of the thousands accepted by the Soviet Union.

War of the desert

During the second battle of El Alamein on the theater of North Africa, six squadrons of Hurricanes fighter-bombers affirmed to have destroyed 39 tanks, 212 trucks and armored vehicles, 26 tankers, 46 guns, 200 vehicles varied and 4 gasoline depots and ammunition. That was carried out at 842 exits with the loss of 11 pilots.

Today

Today there remain only twelve Hurricane in-flight status, including six with the the United Kingdom. In particular, the Royal Air Force maintains one in state of them, with RAF Coningsby in the area of the Lincolnshire, for the great ceremonies as the birthdays of the Bataille of England. The apparatus belongs off to the Battle Britain Memorial Flight (Flotilla Commemorative of the Battle of England).

Alternatives

the versions are called Mk. (Mark) followed reference

British versions

; Prototype K5083

Only one prototype was produced. It had an engine Merlin C (1,025ch). First flight the November 6th 1935. Equipped thereafter with eight machine-guns.

; Hurricane Mk.I

First produced version, with wings out of fabric and driving Rolls-Royce Merlin II or III. The plane is armed with eight machine-guns Browning (7,7 mm). It was produced between 1937 and 1939.

; Hurricane Mk.I (revised)

Version revised of Hurricane I with a propeller Rotol. The wings are recouvertent of metal. in 1939, the RAF ordered 500 units to form the spinal column of the squadrons.

; Hurricane Mk.IIa Series 1

Hurricane I propelled by an engine Merlin XX. First flight the June 11th 1940 and taken service in will esquadrons in September 1940.

; Hurricane Mk.IIb (Hurricane IIa Series 2)

Hurricane Mk.IIa Series 1 equipped with a cone of propeller slightly longer and wings supporting twelve machine-guns Browning (7,7 mm). The first unit was produced in October 1940, and was re-elected Mk.IIb in April 1941.

; Hurricane Mk.IIb Too.

Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIb dedicated to engagement in North Africa were " tropicalisés". They were equipped with dust filters and the pilots were equipped with kit of survival in desert medium.

; Hurricane Mk.IIc (Hurricane IIa Series 2)

Hurricane Mk.IIa Series 1 equipped with a cone of propeller slightly longer and wings supporting four guns Hispano Mk II with (20 mm). In June], Hurricane Mk.IIa Series 2 became Mk.IIc. The plane includes a site for two bombs lb (114kg), or 500 lb (227kg) and thereafter of the gasoline tanks. Thus, it became because of its decreased performances a Avion of attack on the ground of or it drew the nickname from Hurribomber .

; Hurricane Mk.IId

This version is Hurricane Mk.IIb armed with a unit two guns of 40mm as well as a machine-gun Browning under each wing. First Mk.IId stole the September 18th 1941. It was delivered in 1942.

; Hurricane Mk.IIe

a modification of the wings were introduced on this version. The modifications were enough full to change " mark". Thus the Mk.IIe was produced with 250 specimens and was then famous in Mk IV .

; Hurricane Mk.T.IIc

a two-seater version of drive of Mk.IIc two units were produced for the empire Perse.

; Hurricane Mk.III

a version of Hurricane II motorized by an engine Merlin builds by Packard.

; Hurricane Mk.IV

the last major change applied to Hurricane was of " rationaliser" wings. They were configured to mount 2 bombs, 2 guns Vickers Type S or 8 rockets according to the needs. The new design incorporated also an engine improved Merlin 24 or 27 (1 208ch), equipped with dust filters for the operations in the desert.

; Hurricane Mk.V

Two Huricanes IV were equipped with an engine Merlin 32 and one propeller with four blades.

Canadian versions

Part of the production of Hurricane was carried out with the Canada by the Canada Because and Foundry Co Ltd.

; Hurricane X

Propelled by an engine Merlin 28 of manufacture Packard (1 300 ch). Armed with eight machine-guns Browning (7,7 mm) on the wings. On the whole, 490 were built.

; Hurricane XI

150 was built.

; Hurricane XII

Propelled by an engine Merlin 29 of manufacture Packard (1 300 ch). Initially, armed with twelve machine-guns Browning (7,7 mm), then, replaced later by four 4 guns Hispano Mk II (20 mm)

; Hurricane XIIA

Propelled by an engine Merlin 28 of manufacture Packard (1 300 ch). Armed with eight machine-guns Browning (7,7 mm).

Versions Sea Hurricanes

; Sea Hurricane Mk.Ia

Sea Hurricane Mk.Ia is Hurricane Mk.I modified by General Aircraft Limited to be transported by CAMWOOD ships (ship cargo liner equipped with catapults). These planes were not equipped to be recovered by the CAMWOOD ship. They were called " Hurricats".

; Sea Hurricane Mk.Ib

Hurricane Mk.IIa Series 2 were equipped to be recovered by the ships. They fûrent transported by MAC ships (Merchant Aircraft Carrier), a total of 340 apparatuses fûrent converit.

; Sea Hurricane Mk.Ic

Hurricane MkII.B and Mk.IIc conceived to be recovered and equipped with four guns. As from February 1942, 400 apparatuses fûrent converts.

; Sea Hurricane Mk.IIc

Hurricane Mk.IIc, 400 apparatuses fûrent converts.

; Sea Hurricane Mk.XIIa

Hurricane Mk.XIIa converts into Sea Hurricanes of Canadian manufacture.

Armament

machine-guns and guns

Mk.IIa - 8 machine-guns Browning (7,7 mm)
Mk.IIb - 12 machine-guns Browning (7,7 mm)
Mk.IIc - 4 guns Hispano Mk II (20 mm)
Mk.IId - 2 guns Standard Vickers S (40 mm) for the fight anti tank

Bombs

Mk.IIc - 2 bombs lb (114kg), or 500 lb (227kg)
Mk.IId - 2 bombs lb (114kg), or 500 lb (227kg)

Gallery

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