The Hawker Hurricane was a British designed fighter aircraft and the first fighter monoplane used by the Royal Air Force. It was designed by renowned aircraft designer, Sir Sydney Cam, who developed the concept in 1933 and was actually developed on aircraft from Hawker's line of biplane fighters, such as the Hawker Fury, and was outfitted with the new Rolls-Royce PV.12 inline piston engine, eventually known as the "Merlin."

The Hurri was the first aircraft in the Royal Air Force to exceed 300mph, meeting a newly outlined requirement by the RAF. It was designed and built as the need arose for a fast, heavily armed fighter aircraft in an uncertain time as Hitler began his tyrannical march through Europe. Though not as beautiful as the Supermarine Spitfire in many people's eyes, the Hurri met a need and served with more squadrons during the Battle of Britain than any other fighter, including the more well known Supermarine Spitfire. In fact, the Hawker Hurricane accounted for more than 60% of German aircraft shot down during the Battle of Britain.

Not only was the Hurricane the first British monoplane fighter, it was also the first with an enclosed cockpit and retractable undercarriage. It was originally designed with 4 .303 Colt-Browning 7.7mm machine guns but it was soon determined that there was a need for the aircraft to be more heavily armed and the wings eventually housed 8 .303 machine guns, 4 per wing. The high speeds seen in combat also eventually required a change in wings and they were eventually built with aluminum skins instead of fabric.

The Rolls-Royce Merlin engine was the power plant of choice for the Hurricane and it proved to be the ideal engine. With the initial horsepower of more than 1000hp, it powered the Hurricane to speeds in excess of 300mph. The wood, fabric and metal construction made production of the Hurricane faster than was production of the all metal Spitfire, and also made it easier for aircraft to be repaired at squadron when damaged in combat.

Through development, the first flight of the prototype Hurricane was performed on November 6th, 1934 and was officially named the "Hurricane" in mid 1936 with the first production aircraft taking to the air in October, 1937 and the RAF taking possession of their first aircraft in December 1937 as the Mk 1. It was fitted with the Rolls-Royce Merlin II, pushing out 1,030hp The Mk I flew with the RAF during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

Development of the Hurricane continued with more powerful versions of the Rolls-Royce Merlin including the Merlin XX which offered 1,185hp, eventually increased to 1280hp. The Hurricane Mk IIA, fitted with the Merlin XX, with a two-stage supercharger, began to arrive at squadron level during the end of the Battle of Britain in September 1940. The Mk II saw over 6,600 aircraft built as Mk IIA, Mk IIB, Mk IIC and the Mk IID.

Eventually, the Mk IIB included as many as twelve machine guns, 6 in each wing, with some aircraft designed to, initially, carry 2 x 250lb bombs, one under each wing, with further development seeing 2 x 500lb bombs being carried. This bomb carrying Hurricane became known as the "Hurribomber." The more powerful Merlin gave the Mk II a top speed of 341mph and a climb to 20,000' in just over 9 minutes.

Further development of the Hurricane saw versions utilised as P.R. (Photo-Reconnaissance - Mk IIB) and the Mk IIC carried 4 x 20mm Hispano cannons, 2 to a wing, used effectively in air, ground and sea combat situations. This gave the Hurri a service ceiling in excess of 35,000' and a climb to 20,000' in 9 minutes with a top speed of 336mph.

In 1942 the Mk IID was developed and became known as the "tank buster," carrying 2 x 40mm Vickers anti-tank guns, one under each wing, as well as 2 .303 machine guns in the wings. It was used very effectively in the North African battles. The Soviet Air Force also utilised the "tank buster" Hurricane on the Eastern Front against the Germans.

Further developments of the Hurricane saw the Mk IV built with a "universal wing," allowing a single Hurricane airframe capable of being modified to whichever combat role was required. The wing could carry any authorised armament designed for the Hurricane allowing the aircraft to operate quickly as a tank buster or fighter-bomber version. The Hurri was eventually outfitted with 8 x 60lb, under-wing, guided rockets (4 under each wing). The Mk IV was also fitted with the Merlin XXVII, offering some 1,620hp.

Next week we'll continue our look at the venerable Hawker Hurricane and some of the history behind the aircraft and how it was further developed and modified for other roles during World War II in all theatres of war.