Hawker Cygnet
Hawker Aircraft · United Kingdom · first flew 1924 · light aircraft
The Hawker Cygnet was a British ultra-light biplane designed by H.G. Hawker Engineering (later Hawker Aircraft) and drawn up by a young Sidney Camm, first flown in 1924. It was built for the Lympne Light Aeroplane Trials and achieved notable success in economy competitions.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.22 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- British ultra-light biplane of 1924
- Designed by Sidney Camm early in his career
- Won the Lympne Light Aeroplane Trials
Tiny single-seat biplane with equal-span wings, a very small radial or inline engine, and minimal fuselage cross-section; one of the lightest British aircraft of the 1920s.
Specifications
- The Hawker Cygnet has a length of 6.22 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.53 m (28 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 132 km/h (82 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Sidney Camm, who would later design the Hurricane and Typhoon, worked on the Cygnet early in his career. Two Cygnets were built and competed successfully at Lympne, winning economy trials. The type was never produced in quantity but helped establish Camm's reputation.
Variants
Two examples were built, one of which was later re-engined; no series production.
Where you'll see it
Private competition use in the United Kingdom only.
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- Hawker Duiker
- Hawker Heron
- Hawker Horsley
- Hawker Harrier
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- Bernard SIMB V.2
- Fiat AS.1
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