HAWKER "HURRICANE" - Plane & Pilot

1937’44

Plane & Pilot

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Key Takeaways:

The Hawker Hurricane fighter aircraft, first flown in 1937, played a crucial role in the Battle of Britain, achieving more victories than any other British fighter.
The Hurricane underwent significant improvements from the Mark I to the Mark II, including enhanced engine power (Merlin II to Merlin XX), strengthened fuselage, self-sealing fuel tanks, and increased armament.
Over 15,000 Hurricanes were produced, serving in diverse roles across various theaters of World War II, from fighter to ground-attack missions.
Key specifications of the Hurricane II included a top speed of 320 mph, a service ceiling of 33,000 feet, and a Rolls-Royce Merlin XX engine.

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During the Battle of Britain, Hurricanes accounted for more victories over Luftwaffe aircraft than any other fighter 1,500 in all. The first Hurricane flew in October 1937. Designated the Hurricane I, it was outfitted with a Rolls-Royce Merlin II or III engine, fabric-covered wings, and a wooden prop. It lacked armor and selfsealing fuel tanks. Hurricanes saw action throughout the war from the skies over Great Britain to Norway, Italy, North Africa, and Burma. They carried out missions as fighters, fighter-bombers, tank-busters, catapult fighters, and carrier fighters. The first Hurricane II went into production in 1940 and was powered by a Merlin XX V-12-cylinder liquid-cooled engine. Improvements included wing alterations for increased armament, redesigned engine mount, strengthened fuselage, and tanks protected with self-sealing rubber. In all, over 15,000 Hurricanes were built by the time production ceased in 1944.