Hawker Hurricane Mk II
Hawker · United Kingdom · first flew 1940 · fighter
The developed Hurricane, powered by a two-stage Merlin XX and offered in multiple armament fits from twelve machine guns to a pair of 40 mm tank-busting cannon.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.82 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Three-blade propeller standard; Mk IId 'tank-buster' shows two large 40 mm Vickers S cannon pods under the wings — unmistakable gondolas
- Mk IIb carries twelve .303 Brownings (three per gun bay, two bays per wing) visible as closely-grouped muzzle holes in the wing leading edge
- Tropical filter (Vokes) on North Africa/Desert variants creates the same prominent chin bulge seen on Spitfire Vc Trop
The IId's cannon pods are unique among single-engine WWII fighters in RAF service. Against the Mk I, the Mk II has a more developed exhaust manifold and universally a three-blade prop.
Specifications
- The Hawker Hurricane Mk II has a length of 9.82 m (32 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.19 m (40 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 550 km/h (342 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering service in September 1940, the Mk II replaced the Mk I across most squadrons by 1941. It fought in every theatre from the Western Desert to the Eastern Front (via Lend-Lease) and the Far East, where it equipped many Commonwealth squadrons.
Variants
IIa (eight .303s), IIb (twelve .303s), IIc (four 20 mm Hispano cannon), IId (two 40 mm Vickers S + two .303s). The IId's underwing cannon pods are the most dramatic visual change.
Where you'll see it
The BBMF's LF363 (IIc) is the main UK airworthy example; private operators at Duxford also fly Mk IIs. The IId is represented by static museum examples.
Related aircraft
- Hawker Hurricane Mk IIB
- Typhoon
- Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC
- Hawker Hurricane Mk IID
- Arado Ar 240
- Bell XFL-1 Airabonita
- Bloch MB.700
- CANSA FC.12
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