Directly descended from some of the fastest, most beautiful and most effective military aircraft of the 1930s, the Hawker Hurricane was the RAF's first monoplane fighter, and the hero of the Battle of Britain. Melvyn Hiscock's photographic study takes us under the skin of the aircraft, to the very first principles of the design and construction of this beautiful fighter. Using archive and specially taken photographs, many shot behind the scenes at AJD Engineering - Hurricane restoration experts - the author shows in detail how the Hurricane is put together, revealing details rarely seen and providing an invaluable resource for the modeler and the aviation enthusiast.
A comprehensive catalog of the remaining World War II fighter planes, including anecdotes and photos. With 2015 being the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain—arguably the Hawker Hurricane’s “finest hour”—it is appropriate to tell the story of the surviving Hurricanes from around the world. Building on research originally started thirty years ago, Gordon Riley has delved into the archives to amass new information—and in the process managed to identify positively one Hurricane that had proved elusive for more than forty years. Today a number of Hurricanes are being privately restored globally. However, the oldest in existence, a veteran of both the British Expeditionary Force to France in 1939 and the Battle of Britain, is displayed in the Science Museum in London, and the youngest—the very last Hurricane ever built—is still flying with the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. This book documents each aircraft by country of origin and mark by mark from the day it left the factory up to the present day. Some have incredible histories whereas others served in very mundane, but still essential, second-line roles until they were disposed of. Where possible each aircraft is illustrated with a present-day photograph along with others taken throughout its life. From the serious enthusiast to the casual museum or air show visitor, if you have an interest in the Hurricane, this is the book for you. “Heavily illustrated and well produced and will serve as an excellent guide not only for historians but also warbird enthusiasts.” —Air Classics
The Hawker Hurricane matched the best aircraft of Britain's enemies at the moment of greatest crisis and went in to fight in more campaigns, on more fronts, and in more theaters and countries than any other Allied airplane in World War II.
The Hawker Hurricane at the time could not have been better expressed in deeds what was his name. Born as Fury Monoplane, sought to continue the project monoplane version of Fury, one of the best and finest hunting among the older generation. Created by Sidney Camm of HG Hawker Engineering Company, created in 1933 around the new engine RR PV 12 and responsive to the specific F.5/34, which called for a hunt with 8 light machine guns, really an impressive increase compared to the two normally course at the time. Consider that the first specification for an Italian fighter monoplane spoke of a plane armed with a single machine gun (but 12.7), increased to two only later. After this specification were issued the F.36/34 and the new Hurricane flew November 6, 1935, soon surpassing the 483 km/h (300 mph), with the PV 12 that according to the latest specification was to get to 1,025 hp to 4,500 m, a far cry from the Kestrel that potentiate, for example, the first Bf-109. The Hurricane monoplane, in a shiny metallic gray livery, was actually a mixture of new technologies - in aerodynamic terms - like the wing monoplane, retractable by the providential wide track, closed cockpit, radio, but the reality behind the fuselage 'cockpit was in welded steel tubes covered with wooden structures which were given the painted canvas, remained so in the future. The Hurricane was a formidable fighter for 1937, when he entered the service had no equal in the world. But you could not ignore that its structure only partially metallic, and its thick wing were not entirely acceptable for the evolution necessary for the following years: even with upgraded engines, it would not be possible to significantly exceed the speed Hurricane base.
The riveting exploits of a fighter aircraft – and an underrated aerial hero of the Second World War The Hawker Hurricane was flying on the outbreak of war in 1939. Six years later, having saved Britain, it was still playing a major part in the war effort. Widely remembered in its fighter role and unjustly left in the shade of the Spitfire, the Hurricane’s role was varied and pivotal: as a fighter, fighter-bomber, anti-tank aircraft and used at sea. Nor was its theatre of operations any less wide: it saw action in France from the beginning of the Phoney War to the outbreak of the Blitzkrieg, in the Battle of Britain, and then as far afield as Russia, Sumatra and Madagascar. In this intensely readable, spirited and classic account, Adrian Stewart describes all the Hurricane’s roles, adventures and achievements. He recounts the exploits of the aircraft’s outstanding pilots who contributed so much towards mastery of the skies and eventual victory. Perfect for readers of John Nichol’s Spitfire and Lancaster.
The Hawker Hurricane was the Raf's first monoplane fighter, and it dragged the air force into a position where it could defend Britain in its 'hour of need'. Prior to the Battle of Britain, a number of squadrons equipped with the fighter had seen action firstly in the 'Phoney War', and then during the disastrous campaign in France. Pilots like 'Cobber' Kain had achieved impressive scores in the face of overwhelming LUftwaffe forces, and although the RAF lost no less than 386 Hurricanes during the Blitzkried, it gave many pilots valuable experience. Hawker fighters outnumbered Spitfires during the Battle of Britain by three to one, and downed far mor aircraft. Overseas, a handful of pilots put up stiff resistance against Germany's Italian ally in Libya and Egypt, and also over Malta.
