HAWKER HURRICANE

In the summer skies over Britain in 1940 the Hurricane earned its place in history as the symbol of victory during the Battle of Britain. Always outnumbering its more famous counterpart, the Spitfire, the Hurricane is credited with the destruction of more German aircraft during the Battle of Britain than any other aircraft.

It also fought in more campaigns and war theatres than any other aircraft of World War II, and shot down more enemy aircraft than any other RAF fighter. Originally flown on November 6, 1935, the Hurricane entered service in December 1937 with Number 111 Squadron. By the outbreak of war the predominantly fabric covered eightgun Mark I was numerically Fighter Command's most important fighter. It had served in France and Norway in 1940, as well as being sent to the Mediterranean when Italy entered the war in June of that year. It played the leading part in the RAF's defenses during the Battle of Britain, also equipping new Canadian, Polish and Czech squadrons coming into service.

The 12 gun Mark2B and the Mark 2C with its four 20mm cannons entered service in Britain in 1941. These versions were also being shipped to the Middle East at that time. In the Mediterranean theatre, the Hurricane, outnumbered all other Allied fighters during the prolonged desert campaign.

By the end of the war production of the Hawker Hurricane totaled around 14,300 aircraft.