Typhoon
Hawker · United Kingdom · first flew 1940 · fighter
The Hawker Typhoon was a heavy British single-seat fighter that found its calling as a devastating ground-attack aircraft armed with rockets and cannon.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.73 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Thick low wing with a deep, jutting chin radiator
- Bulky Sabre-engined nose and a heavy, powerful frame
- Rocket rails and cannon, the classic ground-attack fighter
Look for the thick low wing and the large, jutting chin radiator beneath a bulky nose. The deep Sabre-engined cowling gives a heavy, brutish look. Rocket rails under the wings and a bubble canopy on later aircraft are telltale signs.
Specifications
- The Typhoon has a length of 9.73 m (32 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.67 m (42 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 663 km/h (412 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed as a Hurricane replacement and first flown in 1940, the Typhoon suffered early engine and structural troubles that nearly saw it cancelled. It proved its worth catching low-level Fw 190 raiders, then excelled as a rocket-firing fighter-bomber. It was central to smashing German armour in Normandy in 1944.
Variants
The definitive version was the Mk IB with four 20 mm cannon, carrying bombs or eight RP-3 rockets. A clear bubble canopy replaced the early framed car-door cockpit. Its thin-wing development became the Tempest.
Where you'll see it
Only one complete original Typhoon survives, and a long-running effort exists in Britain to return an example to airworthy condition. The type is commemorated in RAF Tangmere and Normandy heritage. Its rarity makes any display appearance significant for British enthusiasts.
Related aircraft
- Hawker Hurricane Mk II
- Hawker Hurricane Mk IIB
- 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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