Hawker Hurricane

The prototype of the Hawker Hurricane first flew in 1935, and the production of this aircraft began in 1936. Originally conceived as an interceptor (and it did well in that role at the beginning of the war), the Hurricane would soon be outclassed in that function, the Typhoon and the Fw 190 would both be equipped with more powerful engines developing respectively 2,180 and 1,700 hp, compared to 1,280 hp for the Hurricane. Nonetheless, the Hurricane was a very stable aircraft when firing, allowing the pilot to shoot continuously at his opponent with very little deviation.

Still a potent military aircraft, the Hawker Hurricane became known (and feared) as one of the best fighter bomber of its time. Hurricane squadrons performed anti-shipping patrols over the Channel, sinking Axis transport and warship. The focus of the war shifting to the continent, new armament was introduced to make the Hurricane an excellent ground attacker. Armed with two 40 mm cannon and rockets, it was an effective anti-tank aircraft, also used to carry raid on small objectives such as artillery positions and fuel and ammunition depots.

Combining British output with the Canadian versions, over 14,500 Hurricanes were built.

You can watch the Hawker Hurricane in this ww2 movie footage.

hurricane blueprint front

Specifications

Type: fighter and fighter bomber

Powerplant: 1,390hp (1,630 with boost) Rolls-Royce Merlin XX  V12 liquid-cooled piston engine

Service Ceiling: 10,850m (35,600 ft.)

Maximum Speed: 335 mph (541 km/h)

Range: 740 km (460 mi.) with no load; 1480 km (920 mi.) with two 200-litre (53-gal.) drop tanks

Armament: four 20 mm Hispano or Oerlikon cannon; two 250 lb (113.5 kg) or (later aircraft) 500 lb (227 kg) bombs

Weights: empty 2,631 kg (5,788 lb.); loaded 3,674 kg (8,083 lb.)

Dimensions:
Span: 12.19 m (40 ft.)
Lenght: 9.75 m (32 ft.)
Height: 3.99m (20 ft.)