The Hurricane
Hawker Hurricane First RAF Fighter to Exceed 300mph
The Hurricane’s genesis came about in 1934 with Hawker’s plan to design a monoplane fighter around the new Rolls Royce liquid cooled PV12. Hawker’s adherence to a proven design continued with the new fighter, which featured fabric covered fuselage and wings in the style of its predecessor, the Fury. Initially the project was named ‘Fury Monoplane’ and not until June 1936 when plans were drawn up for mass production was the name ‘Hurricane’ officially approved. Armament was increased from two .303 Brownings in the wings and two Vickers Mk Vs in the fuselage to the familiar 4 Brownings in each wing.
Test Flight
In January 1935, following an official of the mock-up of the new fighter, Air Ministry approved the construction of one ‘High speed monoplane’. The prototype made its first flight in October 1935 and incorporated a retractable undercarriage, a revolutionary feature at the time. The name ‘Merlin’ was bestowed on the Rolls Royce PV12, which drove a Watts 2-bladed, fixed pitch wooden propeller.
Maximum speed was 315 mph, making it the first British fighter to exceed 300 mph, and with a service ceiling of 34,000 feet. Such was Hawker’s confidence, that without Air Ministry approval they took the bold step to prepare for the production of 1,000 aircraft. It was an unprecedented decision, but their confidence was vindicated in June 1936 with an official production order for 600 aircraft. In light of growing international tensions and ominous developments on the continent it had far-reaching consequences for Britain’s survival in 1940.
Into Service
First deliveries were made in late 1937 to 111 squadron based at Northolt. They superseded Gloster Gauntlets and by the outbreak of war Fighter Command had 18 Hurricane squadrons at operational readiness. Progressive development continued. A marked boost to performance was the conversion to a Rotol three blade airscrew; also the installation of metal wing panels in place of earlier fabric- covered examples.
Into Action
Hurricanes were soon in action with Nos.1 and 73 squadrons; as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force posted to France in early September. No.73 claimed the first victory on the Western Front with the destruction of a Dornier 17 on October 2. The ‘Phoney War’ period came to an abrupt ending with the German Blitzkreig of May 10 1940. Although heavily outnumbered and with their airfields under constant attack the Hurricane squadrons fought many one-sided delaying actions until the French collapse in June.
Battle of Britain
Fighter Command’s Order of Battle at the opening of the Battle of Britain comprised 30 squadrons of Hurricanes and 19 of Spitfires. The Spitfire is better remembered, but it was in fact the Hurricane that scored the bulk of victories during that dramatic period. It was during these momentous times that Fighter Command's sole VC was awarded; the recipient was J.B. Nicolson of 249 (Hurricane)sqdrn.
During 1941 the Mk11c armed with four 20mm cannon enjoyed success in the night intruder role over occupied Europe. As a day fighter the Hurricane’s performance did not match that of the improved Me109 entering service, and was a situation that fell to the Spitfire MkV.
Overseas Campaigns
In the Western Desert it was the Hurricane that soldiered on as a fighter/bomber during the seesawing campaigns of 1940-42. The Japanese onslaught through Malaya and Java proved disastrous for the few Hurricane units involved there. Its main opposition came from the agile A6M Zero that proved superior in all respects to the Hurricane. Later versions entered service in Burma and India where its ruggedness was well suited to the harsh operating conditions. It remained the principal British fighter in that area alongside the P47 Thunderbolt until the end of the war.
The Last Hurricane
In September 1944 the last of the 14,000 Hurricanes was delivered to the RAF. Hawker Aircraft retained one example that went on to enjoy a varied career as a test hack, and later carried civil registration in air races. Repainted in RAF colour scheme it appears in the annual Battle of Britain fly past alongside its contemporary, the immortal Spitfire. The RAF Museum at Hendon features this illustrious pair; plus the Boulton Paul Defiant, which played its part in the night interceptor role.
The Hurricane’s versatility is unlikely ever to be surpassed and it strongly deserves its place among the outstanding combat aircraft in the history of aviation.
Hawker Hurricane
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Hawker Hurricane
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