Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC

Hawker · GB · first flew 1941 · fighter

The Mk IIC was the definitive and most numerous Hurricane variant, armed with four 20 mm Hispano cannon and capable of carrying bombs, serving in every theatre from 1941 onwards.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	9.83 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Four 20 mm Hispano cannon in the wings — four large muzzle openings in the leading edge, two per wing
Can carry two 250 lb or 500 lb bombs under the wings on universal wing pylons
Merlin XX engine with deeper chin intake; same airframe as IIA/IIB but heavier armament bays

The four large cannon muzzles in the leading edge are the definitive cue — two visible per wing versus twelve small machine-gun ports on IIB. Tropical-filter variants have a distinctive under-nose Vokes filter that gives the aircraft a 'bearded' appearance.

Specifications

The Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC has a length of 9.83 m (32 ft).
It has a wingspan of 12.19 m (40 ft).
Its maximum speed is 544 km/h (338 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Over 4,700 IICs built, making it the most-produced Hurricane mark. It served in night-fighter, intruder, ground-attack and convoy escort roles. The ability to carry bombs marked the transition from pure fighter to fighter-bomber.

Variants

Night-fighter IICs often had exhaust flame dampers and AI radar aerials. Tropical variants had Vokes air filters under the nose.

Where you'll see it

RAF, RCAF, South African Air Force, Free French, Soviet VVS, many others. The IIC is the most common airworthy Hurricane type — most 'flying Hurricanes' on the warbird circuit are IICs, including those operated by the BBMF.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.