The Hurricane Mk IIC introduced a 4 x 20mm Hispano cannon arrangement which fit two cannons to each wing, providing a hefty punch of firepower against air-, land-, and sea-based targets. The mark arrived during 1941 and was also able to carry 2 x 500lb bombs under the wings (one bomb to a wing). Power was served through 1 x Rolls-Royce Merlin XX V-12 piston engine of 1,280 horsepower. Performance included a maximum speed of 336 miles per hour at 12,500 feet, a climb-rate of 20,000 feet in 9.1 minutes, and a service ceiling reaching 35,600 feet. With performance outmatched by the latest German fighters, the Hurricane was officially seen as a primary ground attack plane and no longer the fighter/interceptor it once was intended to be.
As with the IIB models, IIC production forms were outfitted with camera equipment to become photo-reconnaissance PR.IIC variants.
The Hurricane Mk IID appeared during 1942 as a tank-killing / "tank buster" mount that installed 2 x 40mm Vickers "S" anti-tank gun pods, one under each wing, to provide the necessary firepower in defeating enemy armor. These additionally fielded 2 x 7.7mm machine guns in their wings. The mark proved particularly useful in the tank battles of North Africa and was a favored version for Soviet pilots over the East Front - especially over Kuban and Kursk in 1943. Indeed, the Mk IID tank buster form was used by No.6 Squadron to help support Free French forces during the Battle of Bir Hakeim (Libya) during May to June of 1942. While it proved an Axis victory, the French were successful in delaying the victors and allowed fresh British divisions to arrive at Al-Alamein. Some sixty Mk IID aircraft were delivered for service in the Middle East. With the arrival of Mk II variants in quantity, growing numbers of Hurricane Mk Is were also shipped for service in the Middle East.
Hurricane Mk IV
The Hurricane Mk IV was the first Hurricane mark to introduce use of the "universal wing" to the line and the last major Hurricane variant to be seen. The universal wing approach allowed a single Hurricane airframe to be modified to fit whatever combat role was needed by way of specially-designed wings that could carry any and all cleared Hurricane weaponry. In this fashion, the fighter form could be quickly converted to a fighter-bomber or tank-killer and sent airborne without the need to have dedicated aircraft for such roles on hand. Support was added for 8 x 60lb unguided rockets (4 under each wing) or any munitions options made introduced since the Mk II variant. This sort of development clearly extended the battlefield usefulness of the Hurricane line when it proved clear that its days as a frontline fighter were clearly behind it. While the line had given up ground to more competitive designs over Europe, this mark allowed the Hurricane to play an important role in actions over the Pacific and Far East. Hurricanes of No.20 Squadron were responsible for the destruction of thirteen Japanese Army tanks in their march on Rangoon. The Mk IV variant featured Rolls-Royce Merlin XXIV or Merlin XXVII engines of 1,620 horsepower and some 2,575 total aircraft were produced. Thirty Mk IV aircraft were shipped for service to the Middle East.
The short-lived Hurricane Mk V variant were three developmental airframes designed for up-rated versions of the Rolls-Royce Merlin XXXII engines with four-bladed propeller units. These were not adopted.
Canada produced a total of 1,451Hurricanes across the Mk X, Mk XI, and Mk XII variations. The Mk X fitted a Packard Merlin 28 engine of 1,300 horsepower and 8 x gun wings. 490 were produced. The Mk XI saw production reach 150 units. The Mk XII were fitted with 12 x machine guns and then later 4 x 20mm cannons in the wings. The MK XIIA reverted back to 8 x wing machine guns. Canadian production was through the Canadian Car and Foundry Company of Montreal.
The Soviet Union received about 2,952 Hurricane aircraft via Lend-Lease.
The Sea Hurricane
The "Sea Hurricane" became a navalized version of the land-based Hurricane complete with catapult equipment and arrestor hook and appeared from 1941 onwards. Modifications were handled through General Aircraft Limited. These served from merchant ships and Royal Navy escort carriers where needed. In the former form, the aircraft were launched from catapults ("Hurricats") and typically ditched by pilots post-mission. In the latter form, the Sea Hurricane was used to pound offshore enemy positions, defend maritime routes, or engage enemy shipping directly. Approximately 825 Sea Hurricanes were delivered, these in an Mk I and Mk II production form. The Canadian mark was Mk XIIA.
Hawker Hurricane Walk-Around
Design of the Hawker Hurricane showcased its interwar roots, taking much of the design lines from the previous Hawker line of metal biplane fighters. Internally, the Hurricane continued use of a metal tubular structure covered over in fabric skin. While far from the all-modern mounts appearing with stressed metal skins, the Hurricane's structure allowed it to absorb all manner of punishment before falling. As a monoplane design, rounded monoplane wings were set low under the aircraft and ahead of midships. The engine resided in a forward compartment and capped by an aerodynamic spinner. Early versions of the aircraft drove a two-bladed propeller but this quickly gave way to a standard three-bladed design. The cockpit was set just aft of the engine installation and housed under a greenhouse-style sliding canopy. The downward-sloping nose of the aircraft was a chief quality for it allowed for better vision over the engine that that of the long-nose Spitfire. The raised fuselage spine restricted rearward views but allowed for the necessary internal volume required for avionics controls, fuel, and structural supports. The tail was elegantly shaped and capped by a rounded vertical tail fin. Mid-mounted horizontal planes were affixed to either side of the fin. The undercarriage was of a tail-dragger arrangement featuring two single-wheeled main legs and a small tail wheel. Only the main legs retracted under the aircraft, the tail wheel remaining exposed in flight.
All in all, the Hurricane brought along rather modern qualities in her design - the enclosed cockpit, monoplane wings, and retractable undercarriage. The original offering with its 8 x machine gun armament made her one of the best armed military fighter aircraft of the period. Pilots certainly enjoyed her speed and maneuverability in action with some preferring her over the more famous Spitfire. Over time, the Hurricane's speed was not so much of a quality, outdone by ever-improving types. The design, as a whole, was essentially a technological dead end - her fabric over steel tube construction not up to par with more advanced, modern types appearing by war's end - leading to her removal from frontline service with the British in short order during 1947.
Total production of Hurricanes reached 14,583 aircraft. Operators beyond the UK eventually included Australia, Egypt, France, Finland, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, Turkey and others.
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