The Hawker Hurricane was a British single-seat fighter aircraft that played a crucial role in the Royal Air Force during World War II. It was one of the main British fighter aircraft during the early stages of World War II and saw extensive service during the Battle of Britain in 1940, where it played a vital role in the defence against German air raids. Designed by Sydney Camm, the Hawker Hurricane had a more traditional design compared to the sleeker Supermarine Spitfire. It featured a fabric-covered frame and a metal wing, and it was powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. Armed with eight .303 inch Browning machine guns, with later versions of the aircraft equipped with twelve machine guns or a combination of machine guns and cannons. The Hurricane went through various modifications and upgrades during its production. It served not only as a fighter but also in other roles such as ground-attack and naval operations. The Hurricane, largely replaced by more advanced aircraft later in the war, continued to serve in various roles, including in North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Eastern Front. Some were also used for reconnaissance and training. The Hawker Hurricane is often overshadowed by the iconic Supermarine Spitfire, but its contributions to the defence of Britain and the early air campaigns of World War II were significant. It remains a symbol of British resilience during a critical period in history.
Mike Lepine is a Sunday Times No1 best-selling author. He has written some thirty-five books and has been published throughout the world from America to Finland, and from France to Japan. He has also worked extensively in television in programming as diverse as the arts, consumer rights and comedy. For many years the Editor of the Aviation & Military Video Club, Mike was instrumental with DD Home Entertainment in bringing much rare archival film footage to the public for the very first time.
* The Hawker Hurricane is one of the most famous planes of World War II.
* Its groundbreaking design and superior specifications gave the British a decisive advantage fighting the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain.
* It accounted for over 60% of the air victories in the Battle of Britain.
* On D Day In June 1944 Hawker Hurricanes played an important part in the biggest seaborne invasion in history as the Allies landed in Normandy and gained a crucial foothold in France. They also continued to fly in the Battle of Normandy from June to August 1944.
