British Steam - Military Connections by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: TRANSPORTATION / Railroads / General
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2016-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

Hawker Hurricane

Hawker employees Winnie Bennett, Dolly Bennett, Florence Simpson and a colleague at work on the production of Hurricane fighter aircraft at a factory in Britain, in 1942. Imperial War Museum

The Hurricane was ordered into production in June 1936, mainly due to its relatively simple construction and ease of manufacture. As war was looking increasingly likely, and time was of the essence in providing the RAF with an effective fighter aircraft, it was unclear if the more advanced Spitfire would enter production smoothly, while the Hurricane used well-understood manufacturing techniques. The first 50 Hurricanes had reached squadrons by the middle of 1938.

At that time, production was slightly greater than the RAF’s capacity to introduce the new aircraft and the government gave Hawkers the clearance to sell the excess to nations likely to oppose German expansion. As a result, there were some modest sales to other countries.

By the time of the German invasion of Poland (September 1939), there were 18 operational Hurricane squadrons and three more were in the process of converting.

Preserved Hurricane Mk1, RAF serial R4118, Squadron code UP-W, UK civil registration G-HUPW, made an evocotive sight when seen at the Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford, Gloucestershire, in 2008. Adrian Pingstone

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