Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk IB
Hawker · GB · first flew 1941 · fighter
The Sea Hurricane Mk IB was the first navalised Hurricane, converted from land-based Mk I and IIB airframes with an arrester hook for carrier operations, providing convoy escorts with a real fleet fighter.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Arrester hook under the rear fuselage — the defining navalisation feature, visible as a hook arm below the tail |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Arrester hook under the rear fuselage — the defining navalisation feature, visible as a hook arm below the tail
- Catapult spools on lower fuselage for catapult-assisted take-off (CATO) from merchant ships
- No wing-fold — the Sea Hurricane IB retained the full-span standard Hurricane wing
The arrester hook is the primary cue over a standard Hurricane. CAM ship aircraft (Mk IA) lacked hooks; the IB has both hook and catapult spools. Without the hook stowed, the aircraft is visually identical to a Hurricane IIB — look under the rear fuselage for the hook arm or its fairing.
Specifications
- The Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk IB has a length of 9.83 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
Around 340 IB conversions, primarily from Hurricane IIB airframes with twelve guns. They entered Fleet Air Arm service in mid-1941 and provided vital convoy protection, operating from CAM ships (catapult armed merchantmen) as well as escort carriers.
Variants
Mk IA (catapult-only, no hook); Mk IB (hook and catapult); Mk IC (four cannon, hook and catapult). The IB is the most numerous navalised Hurricane type.
Where you'll see it
Fleet Air Arm, 1941-43. No airworthy Sea Hurricanes survive; the type is represented at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton.
Related aircraft
- Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC
- Hawker Hurricane Mk IID
- Hawker Hurricane Mk II
- Hawker Hurricane Mk IIB
- Bisnovat SK-2
- Boulton Paul P.92
- Brewster SB2A Buccaneer
- Curtiss P-40 E Kittyhawk
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.