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WWII Tech Pubs Briefing
Written by
Duane Godwin
The Royal Air Force's Paul
Richey attacks a German Dornier along with others from his squadron during
the Battle of France.
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Country of Origin:
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Great Britain
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Manufacturer:
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Hawker Aircraft Limited, Canbury Park Road, Kingston-upon-Thames,
Surrey, Great
Britain. Also built by Gloster
Aircraft, Canadian Car and Foundry Co, Austin Motors, Belgian Avions
Fairey, Zmaj.
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Designer:
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Sidney Camm
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Major Variants:
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Mk.I; Mk.II; Mk.IV; Sea Hurricane Mk.I; Sea Hurricane
Mk.II; Mk.X; Mk.XI; Mk.XII
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Role:
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Single-Seat Fighter; Fighter-Bomber.
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Operated by:
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Great Britain, Yugoslavia, South Africa; Romania, Canada,
Belgium, Poland (1), Australia (1), Persia (1), Turkey, Irish Republic,
Egypt, Portugal, Finland, Soviet Union.
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First Flight:
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6 November, 1935 at Brooklands Aerodrome (K5083).
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In Service:
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22 December, 1937, L1548 was delivered to 111 Sqdn
RAF at Northolt.
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Number Built:
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14, 533 (Great Britain and Canada).
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Overview
In the late 1930s, the Hawker Hurricane
was one of Britain's three new multi-gunned monoplane fighter aircraft;
the others being the Supermarine Spitfire, and the Boulton Paul Defiant.
Hawker's designer, Sydney Camm, began design of a monoplane fighter in
1933. He based it on the Hawker Fury biplane fighter, using tried and
tested construction techniques. The Interceptor Monoplane, as it was first
called, used Hawker's conventional structure of steel and Duralumin covered
with fabric. It initially used the Rolls-Royce Goshawk engine, but Hawker
soon switched to the new Rolls Royce P.V. 12, which became the Merlin.
The prototype flew in November of 1935 and production of the Hurricane
Mk I began in July 1936 with the first squadrons forming by the end of
1937. Early Hurricanes had fabric covered wings and two-bladed fixed-pitch
propellers, until September 1939, when metal-skinned wings and three-bladed
variable-pitch propellers were fitted to all new Hurricanes.
Hurricane Mk Is were ordered by
nations frantically arming for the coming conflict, with deliveries going
to Turkey (15), Romania (12), Poland (1), and Finland (12). Twenty-four
were delivered to Yugoslavia, with licensed production being planned for
a further 100 (60 from Zmaj, and 40 from Rogozarski). Only 20 were actually
completed (by Zmaj). Belgium ordered 20 from Hawker (15 were delivered),
and 80 license-built Hurricanes from Belgian Avions Fairey (three were
completed before the German attack).
The Hurricane was the only
modern British fighter available in quantity at the beginning of the war.
The RAF sent about twelve squadrons of Hurricanes to France to try and
stop the German onslaught, but lost almost 200 of them in the battle.
Fortunately for the RAF, there was a breathing space to build up numbers
before the Germans attacked Britain. During this time, three squadrons
of Mk Is were sent to Malta and North Africa. They, and a few more later
deliveries were the only modern fighters available to the Allies in the
“secondary” theatres of battle for some time, because the Spitfire and
its later contemporaries were considered to be too valuable to for the
defense of Great Britain.
Thirty-two Hurricane squadrons and
nineteen Spitfire squadrons were available at the beginning of the Battle
of Britain to oppose the Luftwaffe. The Spitfire is famous for winning
the Battle of Britain, but the Hurricanes that served in the battle accounted
for more enemy aircraft destroyed than all other forms of defense, air
and ground, combined. The Hurricane was slower than both the Messerschmitt
Bf 109 and the Bf 110, and was aimed primarily at destroying enemy bombers.
Flt Lt. JB “Nick” Nicholson earned the only Victoria Cross awarded to
a fighter pilot in WWII, when he attacked and shot down a Bf 110 while
wounded and on fire. He survived the war.
By 1941, the role of the Hurricane
had been relegated to that of a second-line fighter and ground attack
aircraft. However, the arrival of the Mk II in September 1940 with the
1,280 hp (955kW) Merlin XX engine and heavier armament, meant that the
Hurricane now packed a massive punch, and was a great success as a ground
and maritime attack aircraft. The Mk IIA used the eight-gun wings with
the newer engine, while the Mk IIB had twelve Browning machine guns in
the new all metal stressed skin wings. The Mk. IIC introduced four 20-mm
Hispano-Suiza drum fed cannon, and the Mk IID was outfitted with a pair
of 40mm anti-tank cannon. The last three were also capable of carrying
a 125 or 500 lb. bomb under each wing. These armament fits were so successful
that the Mk IV was introduced with the Merlin 24 or 27 engine, and the
"universal wing" that allowed combinations of 20 mm cannon,
40 mm anti-tank guns, up to eight rocket projectiles, and 250 lb. or 500
lb. bombs.
During the war, further deliveries
of Hurricanes went to the Soviet Union (almost 3,000), India (300), Egypt
(20), Turkey (14), Finland (12), Ireland (12), and Persia (1). The Canadian
Car and Foundry Co. (CCF) built total of 1,451 Hurricanes (Mk I, Mk X,
Mk XI, and Mk XII).
Hurricanes were equipped
for carrier operations and fought as the Sea Hurricane Mk I and
Mk II. They proved more robust than the rather unsuitable and fragile
Seafire. The Hurricat was an early modification that used Hurricanes converted
for use on catapult-equipped merchant ships (CAM-Ships). The pilot was
expected to ditch or bale out after a sortie. The Hurricat was an outstanding
success – seven kills were scored from eight launches.
The top scoring Hurricane ace in
WWII was Sqn Ldr Marmaduke Thomas St. John "Pat" Pattle, a South
African who served in North Africa and later in Greece with 35 victories.
New evidence suggests that he actually scored over 50 kills, which would
make him the highest scoring RAF ace of the war.
The Hurricane was used in all theatres
of the war, and was in use right up to the end of the conflict.
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Variants
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Type
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Number
Built
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Remarks
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Prototype
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1
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Prototype, equipped with Rolls-Royce Merlin C, retractable
tail wheel, full wheel doors, Watts two-bladed fixed-pitch propeller,
eight BSA Browning .303 (7.7 mm)
machine-guns.
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Mk I
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2,719 plus 40
built in Canada
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Early Mk IA: Rolls-Royce Merlin II or III, larger radiator,
fixed tail wheel, stronger canopy bars, and armoured windscreen.
Later Mk Ia’s had metal-skinned wings, longer spinner, and Rotol
or de Havilland three-bladed variable-pitch propeller.
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Hillson FH40
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1
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Canadian-built Mk I modified in Great Britain with
biplane wing for extra lift and fuel storage.
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Mk IIA
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+/- 100
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Introduced Merlin XX. Early Mk IIs had the four-gun
"A" wing (eight guns in total).
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Mk IIB
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Unknown
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The "B" wing added two more Brownings to
each wing for a total of twelve .303 machine-guns. First Hurricane
to be fitted with bomb racks under each wing for 250 lb (113
kg) bomb.
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Mk IIC
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4,177
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"C" wing had two 20 mm Hispano cannons (four
20 mm total) and bomb racks.
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Mk IID
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300
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"D" wing used the fearsome 40 mm Vickers
"S" gun with two .303 Brownings for anti-tank and ground
attack work.
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Mk III
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0
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Not proceeded with. Packard Merlin-powered Hurricane
to be built in Great Britain. Cancelled due to shortage of proposed
powerplant.
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Mk.IV
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794
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Introduced Merlin 24 or 27. Began life as the IIE.
Introduced "universal wing" able to carry combinations
of 20 mm cannon, 40 mm anti-tank guns, up to eight rocket projectiles,
and 250 lb or 500 lb bombs.
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Mk V
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3
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Dedicated ground-attack variant intended for CBI theatre.
Four-bladed Rotol propeller powered by Merlin 32 of 1,700 hp (1,268 kW). Three built. Not successful due to overheating
problems.
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Mk.X
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Total CCF production
1,451
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Canadian-built Packard Merlin 28 powered Hurricane,
Hamilton Standard propeller. Similar to Mk IIB.
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Mk.XI
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Total CCF production
1,451
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Canadian-built, similar to Mk X, but RCAF equipment
fitted. Most shipped to Russia.
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Mk.XII
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Total CCF production
1,451
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Canadian-built, similar to Mk XI. Packard Merlin 29,
initially with 8-gun wing, later with 4-cannon or Universal wing.
Similar to Mk II and Mk IV.
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Sea Hurricane Mk 1A
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50
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"Hurricat". Hurricane Mk I conversion with
catapult spools that allowed launching from Catapult-equipped Merchant
ships (CAM ships).
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Sea Hurricane Mk 1B
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260
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Hurricane Mk I, Mk II, Mk X, and Mk XII conversion
with catapult spools, plus arrestor hook for operation from hastily
converted Merchant Aircraft Carriers (MAC ships).
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Sea Hurricane Mk 1C
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Unknown
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Navalised four 20 mm cannon armed conversion from Hurricane
Mk I.
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Sea Hurricane Mk IIC
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Unknown
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Navalised Mk IIC, Merlin XX.
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Specifications
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Model
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Prototype
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Mk.I
Figures for aircraft fitted with
Merlin III
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Mk.IIB
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Dimensions
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Span
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40 ft 0 in (12.19
m)
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40 ft 0 in (12.19
m)
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40 ft 0 in (12.19
m)
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Length
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31 ft 6 in (9.60
m)
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31 ft 4 in (9.60
m)
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32 ft 2.25 in (9.81
m)
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Height
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13 ft 6 in (4.11
m
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12 ft 11.5 in (3.95
m)
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13 ft 1 in (3.99
m)
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Wing Area
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258 sq ft (23.97
m3)
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258 sq ft (23.97
m3)
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257.5 sq ft (23.92
m3)
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Powerplant
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Type
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Rolls-Royce Merlin C
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Rolls-Royce Merlin II or III
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Rolls-Royce Merlin XX
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Cylinders
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12-cylinder Vee
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12-cylinder Vee
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12-cylinder Vee
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Cubic Capacity
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1,647 in3 (??
l)
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1,647 in3 (??
l)
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1,647 in3 (??
l)
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Horsepower
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990 hp (738
kW)
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1,030 hp (768
kW)
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1,280 hp (954
kW)
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Weights and Loads
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Weight (maximum takeoff)
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Unknown
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Unknown
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Unknown
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Weight (normal loaded)
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5,672 lb (2,573
kg)
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6,218 lb (2,820
kg)
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7,244 lb (3,286
kg)
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Performance
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Maximum speed
(clean) at 15,000 ft (4,572 m)
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312 mph (502
kph)
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317 mph (510
kph)
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301 mph (484
kph)
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Stalling speed (clean) at sea level
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70 mph (112
km/h)
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72 - 80 mph (116
- 129 km/h)
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75 - 85 mph (121
- 137 km/h)
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Climb to 20,000 ft
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20,000 ft (6,096
m) in 12min
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20,000 ft (6,096
m) in 11min
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20,000 ft (6,096
m) in 12min
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Service ceiling
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33,000 ft (10,058
m) estimated
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34,200 ft (10,424
m)
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36,000 ft (10,973
m)
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Range
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500 miles (805
km)
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505 miles (813
km)
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465 miles (748
km)
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Armament
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Armament
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8x 0.303 (7.7mm) Browning
MG
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8x 0.303 (7.7mm) Browning
MG
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6; 8; or 12x 0.303 (7.7mm)
Browning MG
2x 250 lb or 500 lb bombs
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[ Top of Page | Feedback
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Model
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Mk.IIC
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Mk.IV
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Sea
Hurricane Mk.IIC
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Dimensions
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Span
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40 ft 0 in (12.19
m)
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40 ft 0 in (12.19
m)
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40 ft 0 in (12.19
m)
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Length
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32 ft 2.25 in (9.81
m)
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32 ft 2.25 in (9.81
m)
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32 ft 3 in (9.83
m)
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Height
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13 ft 1 in (3.99
m)
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13 ft 1 in (3.99
m)
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13 ft 1 in (3.99
m)
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Wing Area
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257.5 sq ft (23.92
m3)
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257.5 sq ft (23.92
m3)
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257.5 sq ft (23.92
m3)
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Powerplant
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Type
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Rolls-Royce Merlin XX
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Rolls-Royce Merlin 27
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Rolls-Royce Merlin XX
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Cylinders
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12-cylinder Vee
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12-cylinder Vee
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12-cylinder Vee
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Cubic Capacity
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1,647 in3 (??
l)
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1,647 in3 (??
l)
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1,647 in3 (??
l)
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Horsepower
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1,280 hp (954
kW)
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1,620 hp (1,208
kW)
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1,280 hp (954
kW)
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Weights
and Loads
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Weight (maximum takeoff)
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Unknown
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Unknown
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8,100 lb
(3,674 kg)
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Weight (normal loaded)
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7,544 lb (3,422
kg)
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8,462 lb (3,838
kg)
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Unknown
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Performance
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Maximum speed
(clean) at 15,000 ft (4,572 m)
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301 mph (484
kph)
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280 mph (450
kph)
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301 mph (484
kph)
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Stalling speed (clean) at sea level
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75 - 85 mph (121
- 137 km/h)
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75 - 85 mph (121
- 137 km/h)
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75 - 85 mph (121
- 137 km/h)
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Climb to 20,000 ft
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20,000 ft (6,096
m) in 12min
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20,000 ft (6,096
m) in 12min
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20,000 ft (6,096
m) in 12min
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Service ceiling
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35,600 ft (10,851
m)
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29,100 ft (8,870
m)
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36,000 ft (10,973
m)
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Range
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460 miles (740
km)
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450 miles (724
km)
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465 miles (748
km)
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Armament
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Armament
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4x 20 mm cannon
2x 250 lb or 500 lb bombs
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4x 20 mm cannon
OR
2x 40 mm Vickers S gun and 2x 0.303 (7.7mm)
Browning MG
With 4x 20 mm cannon, the following could be used:
8x rocket projectile
OR
2x 250 lb or 500 lb bombs
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6; 8; or 12x 0.303 (7.7mm)
Browning MG
2x 250 lb or 500 lb bombs
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