Hawker Hurricane (D21)

The Hawker Hurricane was the first fighter monoplane to join the Royal Air Force and the first combat aircraft adopted by that arm capable of exceeding 300 mph in level flight. The first Mk I production machines were ready fairly quickly, with deliveries starting in December 1937. These early aircraft featured fabric-covered wings, and a wooden, two-bladed, fixed-pitch propeller. Initially the tailwheel was designed to be retractable; early on it was discovered that the Hurricane needed a larger rudder area to improve the control characteristics during a spin. To this end the lower part of the rudder was extended and a distinctive ventral "keel" was added to the rear fuselage. The tailwheel is now fixed.

Current production models have the powerplant was changed to the Merlin III driving a constant speed metal propeller. Ejector exhaust stacks are fitted for added thrust. The fabric covered wings are replaced by re-stressed metal-covered wings. An armour-glass panel is incorporated on the front of the windscreen. The "rod" aerial mast is replaced by a streamlined, tapered design. It retains the 'thick' wing; a very stable gun platform with eight rifle calibre machine guns and gunnery is further helped by new reflector gun sights (though many still have the bead). Workmanlike and very tough, it is already superseded performance wise by Colonial and new fighters like the Me 109 and Spitfire though remains a tight turning fighter.