Hawker Hurricane Canvas

The Hawker Sea Hurricane (1B). The often forgotten cousin of the Supermarine Spitfire, despite being the better aircraft! This aircraft is the last airworthy example of a Sea Hurricane in the world.

Throughout the war, the Hurricane’s greatest opponent was not the Luftwaffe but was instead the Spitfire. While the Spitfire garnered public affection, the Hurricane was the wiser choice of aircraft. Not only was it cheaper, but it also took 4900 fewer man hours to assemble one meaning that they could be produced at a far greater rate. On top of this it was made using well-recognised techniques so could easily be maintained repaired at airfields. So functional was the plane that Lord Beaverbrook established an organisation purely for the repair and overhaul of battle-worn Hurricanes.

Power came from the 27 litre Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. These massive V12 power units were fitted with a supercharger for good measure meaning a power output of around 1060 bhp in early Hurricanes. However, that figure could be boosted in the Hurricane, among others, with a feature called “War Emergency Power”. This was a throttle setting that allowed for 110% from the engine by increasing the boost pressure by around 6psi to develop 1310 bhp, enough for a 30mph speed boost, and enough to worry a Messerschmitt Bf 109. This boost function was only to be used for around five minutes, but reports of it being held on for half an hour are not uncommon.

Specifically, the aircraft in the photos is a Sea Hurricane, which means it is a model that has been adapted for use on carriers, with a strengthened airframe to take the forces from the steam catapult launcher and arrester.