The Hawker Hurricane - Issue 15
Two UK fighters have gone from being mere machines to become icons. The first is the Supermarine Spitfire, the second is the subject of the next issue of Aviation Classics... the Hawker Hurricane.
Designed by Sydney Camm, it represented the bridge between biplane and monoplane technology and was originally known as the ’Monoplane Fury’, after the Fury biplane fighter of 1931. The type formed the backbone of RAF Fighter Command, with 18 squadrons in service when the Second World War began in September 1939. Hurricanes saw action over France and the Low Countries before the Battle of Britain began in June 1940, during which they were to shoot down more enemy aircraft than all the other air and ground defences put together. Later, it went on the offensive in Europe – as a night intruder and fighter bomber. Large numbers fought over Malta, the Western Desert, Burma, India and the Far East, excelling as fighters and ground attack aircraft. All over the world the Hurricane earned a reputation for reliability and toughness. This issue tells the story of the Hurricane and its crews from inception to war career.
Contents
8 Determination, courage and genius
20 Prototype, testing and production
24 Into service
28 Over France in 1940
34 The Battle of Britain:
Phase 1 and 2
40 The Battle of Britain:
Phase 3 and 4
44 Hurricane Squadrons of the Battle of Britain
46 Storm at sea
52 Refining the breed
58 Night Hawks
70 A Greek in the RAF
Eagle Squadron
78 Comrades in arms
82 Inside the Hurricane
92 Flyinglass competition
94 Displaying a legend
102 Hurricanes in the Mediterranean
108 Versatility in action
114 Hurricanes abroad
124 Survivors
Next Issue
Saab
From the first deliveries of the Saab 17 bomber and reconnaissance aircraft in 1942, Saab (Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget) was to become the major supplier of military aircraft to the Swedish Air Force and remains so to this day.
Its innovative approach to aircraft design has kept the company at the cutting edge of aviation from its first jet fighter, the J29, which set world speed records in 1954.
The fighter and fighter bomber line developed into the J32 Lansen, through the double delta of the J35 Draken and the hugely powerful canard J37 Viggen to today’s highly manoeuvrable and successful J39 Gripen. Aside from the Swedish air force, these unique aircraft have also been sold to several other countries.
The company has also been successful in the civil market, producing the Saab 340 and 2000 twin turboprop airliners. The Saab 340 has also been produced in a military Airborne Early Warning and Control version, equipped with a powerful radar mounted over the cabin.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Swedish aerospace giant, so the next issue of Aviation Classics is dedicated to telling the full story of the company, its innovators and its aircraft.
On sale 25th May 2012
