Not talking about storms here, but one of the greatest fighter planes of World War II. While its fame was later eclipsed by the Supermarine Spitfire, the Hurricane played a major role in early air conflicts, especially the Battle of Britain. Produced from 1937 to 1944, it served throughout most of the war and racked up some pretty impressive facts and figures.
Eagle Squadron
Before the US’s entry into the war, many Americans joined the Royal Air Force and formed the Eagle Squadrons. As this took place at the beginning of the war, the American pilots mostly flew Hurricanes. In 1941 after the US declared war on Germany, these squadrons were folded into the US Army Air Corps.
Outnumbered but Not Outgunned
During the Battle of Britain in July 1940, the RAF had a total of 527 Hurricanes and 321 Spitfires to face the Luftwaffe’s 2,700 planes. Ultimately, the British forces were successful in destroying 1,887 aircraft to British losses of 1,547 planes over the three-month period. Their success marked a turning point for Britain and the war, halting the Nazis’ advancement in Europe.
Takes a Lickin’
While slower and less agile than the Spitfire, one of the Hurricane’s saving graces was that it was known to hold up better against enemy fire. In the Battle of Britain, they helped provide cover for the Spitfires, taking the brunt of the damage as the Spitfires moved in for the kill.
Important Technical Figures
Maximum Speed: 340 MPH
Range: 468 miles (1,090 miles with two 90 gallon ferry tanks)
Ceiling: 35,000 feet
Wingspan: 40 feet
Length: 31 feet, 4 inches
Height: 13 feet
31 Flavours of Death
Aside from the standard Mark I Hurricane, there were several other models that varied depending on their mission. Besides the Mark II(A&B), there was the Mark II Trop (rigged for combat in North Africa), the Sea Hurricane (modified to be launched by catapult for convoys), the Hurricane Hotspur (with a turret gun placement), the Typhoon, and many other variants.
Practicality
With the Great Depression going on at the time of its development, Chief Designer Sydney Camm tried to use as many pre-existing parts and manufacturing techniques as possible. This resulted in a plane that was essentially the monoplane successor to the Hawker Fury biplane.
Easy to Repair and Modify
These practical concerns in building the Hurricane meant that it could be easily repaired after battle. It also allowed for the heavy modification that led to so many different models, making it a highly suitable fighter for almost any theatre in the war.
Hazardous to Your Health
And not just because of the Nazis shooting at you. Hurricanes had a problem with carbon monoxide fumes seeping into the cockpit. Manufacturers attempted to fix this by outfitting the planes with longer exhaust stubs and other modifications, but nothing ever completely alleviated the problem. Instead, pilots were required to use oxygen from engine start-up to engine shut-down.
A Throwback?
Of all the various modifications to the Hurricane, one of the more interesting was a one-off biplane variant. Known as the Hillson FH.40, the top wing was meant to hold extra fuel, reducing takeoff distance and increasing ferry range. However, it proved too heavy to be serviceable and none were built beyond the original.
Only a Handful Remaining
Of the 14,583 Hawker Hurricanes that were built during the seven-year period of production, only 13 survive that can still fly. However, many that are not in airworthy condition, are on display at museums all over the world. There is even one at the Smithsonian Institution’s Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles Airport, which is part of the National Air and Space Museum.
Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas in 2007 in a closet in Chicago. Anglotopia is for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Join us as we explore Britain and everything it has to offer!
Hi,
Sorry but the hurricane used to go for the enemy bombers whilst the spitfires covered them and dealt with the enemy Me109 etc. not the other way round! At least thats what i have always been told
That is my understanding too.
Also USA did not declare war on Germany in 1941. Germany declared war on the USA. The USA was prevented from declaring war on any other nation by its Neutrality Act which only authorised the country to take up arms against another if it was first attacked.
American pilots who flew in the Eagle squadrons in 1940 were in contravention of US law and faced prosecution on return. However after the German declaration ther was an amnesty declared for these pilots on the understanding that they would return to the USA and join the American air forces.
The Smithsonian Institution’s Udvar-Hazy Center is at DULLES International Airport in northern Virginia, not at Washington National (Reagan) Airport
Thanks!
Sir,
Your facts article is riddled with errors. The Hurricane was not less agile than the Spitfire, for example it had a tighter turning circle. But it’s main shortcoming against the Spitfire was due to inferior aerodynamics, such as a thicker wing, which affected its top speed. It’s rate of climb and service ceiling were also markedly inferior to both Spitfire and Me 109. So the tactics adopted were to send the Spitfiures to the higher aaltitudes where they could engage the German fighter cover on the best possible terms. This would, to some degree, keep the German fighters off their backs. If they were ‘bounced’, an alert pilot could apply the Hurricanes exceptional rate of turn to get out of trouble, at least until help arrived.
Your comment about being able to absorb more punishment is correct and owes much to the fabric covered tubular construction inherited from biplane types. This meant that an explosive cannon shell hitting fabric might pass right through without doing serious damage and could be easily patched. Should the same hit the stress skin of the spitfire it would create a big hole that would require skilled structural experts to repair.
Another point also omitted is that the Hurricane was much more prone to catching fire than the Spit. The vast majority of the horrible burn cases of pilots were suffered in the Hurricane. The Hurricane had a reserve fuel tank located at the rear of the engine compartment just forward of the cockpit. If that was hit and caught fire the pilot would be quickly engulfed in flames even before he was able to bail out.
Actually it was found to be the fuel tanks at the root of the wings that caused the fire issue. These were easily hit and as the cockpit had no floor the fire was pulled upwards and over the pilot by air currents as soon as the hood was opened to bail out
You state that the Typhoon was a variant of the Hurricane,not so..The Typhoon was a completely different aircraft designed to replace the Hurricane.
Also the Hotpsur was not based on a hurricane at all it was a development of the hawker henley target tug which just happened to share some of the hurricane jigs
I would think the carbon monoxide seepage was actually affecting the Typhoon, not the Hurricane so much and was instead relating to the Typhoon – which wasn’t a Hurricane variant as David clarified but a new aircraft. The Typhoon’s Wikipedia article has some references on that monoxide issue.
what side were the hawker hurricanes on im doing a project and i need as much great information that u can give me please
They were on the British side
That’s funny! What side indeed!