WEAPONS OF WWII - Aircraft
The Hardware – Aircraft
Although the Supermarine Spitfire is often portrayed as the fighter plane that “won” the Battle of Britain, it was in fact Sidney Camm’s robust and durable Hurricane that destroyed more German aircraft than the rest of the British planes combined.
Well into 1941, the Hurricane was the RAF’s most numerous fighter. Designed as a monoplane version of the earlier Fury, the Hurricane was not as technically advanced as the Spitfire and had an unstressed, largely fabric, covering. The prototype first flew in November 1935, and the Hurricane Mk I entered service late in 1937 as the RAF’s first monoplane fighter. Early Hurricane aircraft were fitted with a two-blade, fixed-pitch propeller that later gave way to a three-blade, constant-speed unit. Some 19 squadrons operated with Mk I Hurricanes on the outbreak of World War II in September 1939 and some 32 squadrons were equipped by August 1940. The production total was about 3,650 aircraft. Some 7,500 of the improved Mk II fighter-bomber Hurricanes, with an uprated powerplant, heavier armament, and enhancements such a metal-skinned wings, three-blade propeller and better armor protection, were deliver from September 1940 onward, in various configurations.
Many aircraft were tropicalized for North African and Far Eastern service with a special chin air filter. The Mk IV Hurricane was the final British production model and was fitted with uprated engine, additional armor, and provisions for underwing stores, including antitank guns. The Sea Hurricane was a naval version of the plane.
Hawker Hurricane
Manufacturer: Hawker Aircraft Ltd.
Type: Single-Seat Fighter
Length: 31 ft 4 in (9.55 m)
Span: 40 ft (12.19 m)
Height: 13 ft 4.5 in (4.07 m)
Maximum Speed: 324 mph (521 km/h)
Service Ceiling: 33,200 ft (10,120 m)
Range: 445 miles (716 km)
Crew: 1
Powerplant: 1 x RR Merlin III
Armament: 8 x 0.303in MG
Bomb Load: none
First Flight: November 6, 1935
Initial Climb: 2,520 ft (770 m) per min
Weight (Empty): 5,085 lb (2,308 kg)
Weight (Loaded): 6,661 lb (3,024 kg)
Supermarine Seafire
Manufacturer: Supermarine
Aviation Type: Carrier-Borne Fighter
Length: 30 ft 2.5 in (9.21 m)
Span: 36 ft 10in (11.23 m)
Height: 11 ft 2.5 in (3.42 m)
Maximum Speed: 348 mph (560 km/h)
Service Ceiling: 24,000 ft (7,315 m)
Range: 553 miles (890 km)
Crew: 1
Powerplant: 1 x RR Merlin 55M
Armament: 2 x cannon, 4 x MG
Bomb Load: 500 lb (227 kg)
First Flight: Not given
Initial Climb: 2,501 ft (762 m) per min
Weight (Empty): 6,204 lb (2,814 kg)
Weight (Loaded): 7,640 lb (3,465 kg)
Supermarine Spitfire MK I
Manufacturer: Supermarine
Aviation Type: Fighter-Bomber
Length: 29 ft 11 in (9.12 m)
Span: 36 ft 10in (11.23 m)
Height: 9 ft 11 in (3.02 m)
Maximum Speed: 394 mph (595 km/h)
Service Ceiling: 36,500 ft (11,125 m)
Range: 1,135 miles (1,827 km)
Crew: 1
Powerplant: 1 x RR Merlin 45
Armament: 8 x 0.303in MG
Bomb Load: 500 lb (227 kg)
First Flight: March 5, 1936
Initial Climb: 3,950 ft (1,204 m) per min
Weight (Empty): 4,998 lb (2,267 kg)
Weight (Loaded): 6,417 lb (2,911 kg)
Supermarine Spitfire PR MK XI
Manufacturer: Supermarine
Aviation Type: Fighter, Fighter-Bomber
Length: 31 ft (9462 m)
Span: 36 ft 10in (11.23 m)
Height: 12 ft 7.75 in (3.85 m)
Maximum Speed: 408 mph (655 km/h)
Service Ceiling: 43,000 ft (12,105 m)
Range: 980 miles (1,576 km)
Crew: 1
Powerplant: 1 x RR Merlin 61
Armament: 2 x cannon, 4 x MG
Bomb Load: 1,000 lb (454 kg)
Initial Climb: 3,950 ft (1,204 m) per min
Weight (Empty): 5,610 lb (2,545 kg)
Weight (Loaded): 9,500 lb (4,309 kg)
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