Hawker Hurricane

The Hawker Hurricane was indeed the true star of Britain's march against the Third Reich. Often overshadowed by the sleeker and sexier Supermarine Spitfire, the Hurricane system evolved from the Hawker "Fury Monoplane" as it was called. The Hawker Hurricane maintained the internal metal tubing and fabric covering found in earlier Hawker designs and was a stepping stone of aircraft design in the inter-war years up until the universal use of all-metal construction. In many ways, the Hurricane represent an evolved version of the Fury biplane in monoplane form.

Not known as the "Hurricane" officially until 1936, the first models of this new aircraft flew as early as 1935 and were placed into production almost immediately. From there, the Hawker Hurricane would become England's symbol of Britain’s resistance to German incursion in the Battle of Britain and see combat from Europe and North Africa to the Middle East and the Pacific. In fact, the Hurricane series of aircraft would account for more enemy aircraft kills than any other aircraft system in the Battle of Britain. Very much in the vein of the American-made Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, the outclassed Hurricanes would nevertheless make a name for themselves as a "do everything" fighter, relying moreso on the skill of her pilots than on the technology and capabilities presented by the limited system.

The Hurricane's development progressed alongside the necessities of war. From the original 8 x .303 caliber machine gun-carrying Hurricane spawned a myriad of variants that included a 12 x .303 caliber machine gun version, a 4 x 20mm cannon variant and a tank-busting model armed with two powerful 40mm cannons. The 20mm cannon derivative would be highly regarded by war’s end for the powerful “punch” that the single-engine aircraft could provide advancing fronts.

The Hurricane Mk IIB would be fitted with wing racks allowing for the carrying of drop bombs of various lethality and fuel tanks for increased range. Refinements in the production cycle of the aircraft would eventually produce a "universal wing" system (introduced with the arrival of the Hurricane Mk IV) that allowed the various newer Hurricane models to switch combat roles with minor battlefield modifications. This new wing element allowed for the carrying of external fuel drop tanks but more importantly paved the way for the use of air-to-surface high explosive rockets.

Though outclassed by its German and Japanese counterparts as a straight-line fighter, the adaptability and reliability of the system proved to be priceless in other roles - particularly in the hands of a pilot experienced in the limitations of the Hurricane system. Used throughout the war by a plethora of nations, the Hurricane would see combat throughout the end of the war in the Pacific with equal success, bringing an end to the resume of one of the greatest fighters ever produced.

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Last Revision: 6/23/2010

1937

Designation: Hawker Hurricane
Classification Type: Fighter / Ground Attack Aircraft
Contractor: Hawker Industries - UK
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Production Total: 14,231