Hawker Hurricane

Hurricane Mk1, RAF serial R4118, Squadron code UP-W, UK civil registration G-HUPW, at the PFA Flying for Fun Rally at Kemble Airfield, Gloucestershire, England.

The Hawker Hurricane was a contemporary of the Supermarine Spitfire.

Variants

There were a number of variants.

• Mk I: Initial production version. Some examples fitted with cameras in lower rear fuselage.
  • Mk IA (Early Production): Modified from prototype design with larger radiator, strengthened canopy with armoured windscreen, simplified undercarriage doors and fixed tailwheel.
  • Mk IA (Late Production): Improved Mk I with metal skinned wings and variable pitch propeller, housed in a lengthened propeller spinner.
• Mk II: Mk I airframe with Merlin XX engine. Some examples fitted with cameras in lower rear fuselage.
  • Mk IIA: Early Mk II sub-variant with eight gun armament of Mk I.
  • Mk IIB: Examples with 12 gun wing. First version fitted with bomb racks.
  • Mk IIC: Version with machine guns replaced by four 20mm autocannon. 4,711 built
  • Mk IID: Anti tank variant, comprising 300 examples fitted with a pair of 40mm Vickers S Guns.
• Mk III: Aircraft intended for UK production with Packard Merlin engine, which failed to materialise due to engine shortage.
• Mk IV: Version fitted with the 'Universal' wing. Originally designated Mk IIE
• Mk V: Dedicated ground attack version with Merlin 32 driving a four bladed propeller. Limited to three prototypes.