Hawker Hawfinch
Hawker · United Kingdom · first flew 1927 · fighter
The Hawker Hawfinch was a British single-engined biplane fighter of the 1920s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.21 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Two-bay staggered biplane
- All-metal tube and "fishplate" structure with fabric covering, the first all-metal fighter built by Hawker
- Single Bristol Jupiter radial engine and two synchronised Vickers machine guns
A two-bay staggered biplane fighter with a Jupiter radial engine.
Specifications
- The Hawker Hawfinch has a length of 7.21 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.21 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 275 km/h (171 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was designed in 1925 as a replacement for the Siskin and Gamecock and entered the competition for Specification F9/26. It first flew in March 1927 with a Bristol Jupiter VI, changed to a Jupiter VII before the trials.
Variants
Only one prototype was built. It was later tested with single-bay wings and with a twin-float undercarriage.
Where you'll see it
The Bristol Bulldog won the contract because of its slightly higher maximum speed and easier maintenance. The Hawfinch prototype was then used for experimental purposes.
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- Avro 584 Avocet
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