How many hawker hurricanes are still flying

In January , a new specification F. By August , the various components were completed at Hawkers at Kingston before being moved by road to nearby Brooklands for re-assembly. Following ground testing, the first prototype K flew on 6 th November , in the hands of Flight Lt. George Bulman. Hawker Hurricane Prototype K Full RAF acceptance was granted in June of that same year.

Langley took over all Hawker Hurricane production from , although externally some 2, were also built by Gloster Aircraft at Hucclecote with a further aircraft built at Austin Motor Company at Longbridge.

XX plus another being built by Zmaj in Yugoslavia in A total of 1, Hawker Hurricanes flew with Fighter Command during the period of the Battle of Britain, far in excess of all other British fighters combined. It is estimated that Hawker Hurricane pilots were credited with four fifths of all enemy aircraft destroyed in that critical period from July to October During that year, General Aircraft Limited converted approximately Mk.

Unfortunately however, these did not have the capability for recovery of the aircraft at sea and so consequently, this method could only be used when in range of land. If far out at sea, the pilots were forced to ditch and abandon the aircraft, before awaiting pick up. Not surprisingly, both options frequently ended in the death of the pilot and so Merchant Aircraft Carriers MAC were created. These were predominantly cargo vessels with a flight-deck, catapult apparatus and on-board winches.

Hawker Sea Hurricane launching from a Merchant Carrier. In Egypt during , the RAF Service Department at Heliopolis converted several Hawker Hurricanes for a photo-reconnaissance role, carrying a range of camera equipment and capable of over mph.

The Hawker Hurricane proved significantly cheaper to build than the Vickers Supermarine Spitfire as well as being even simpler to overhaul, especially when battle-damage required the urgent attention of the newly-formed, Civil Repair Organisation. IIc PZ - The last of the many.

In all, 24 variants of the Hawker Hurricane were created, with around 14, aircraft built in total. Thankfully, many examples of this superb aircraft still exist today.

There are a number scattered around the world where they are much loved and revered, often be seen at air shows and displays. I Fabric-covered wings, wooden2 two-bladed fixed-pitch propeller and powered by the 1, hp Rolls-Royce Merlin Mk.

II or III engines. I equipped with catapult spools plus an arrester hook. Used on CAM ships catapult armed merchantman. Fabric-covered wings, wooden2 two-bladed fixed-pitch propeller and powered by the 1, hp Rolls-Royce Merlin Mk. I revised. With appropriate instruction, a competent Private Pilot Licence holder should be able fly a Hurricane within hours.

As world leaders in Hurricane restoration, Hawker Restorations can advise you on a variety of investment options, including whole or part ownership, and of course on every aspect of operation and maintenance. Our Restorations. About us. Vintage Wings of Canada's second Hurricane, a Mk. Built in , was struck off charge from the RCAF in and was purchased by a syndicate in Saskatchewan.

It was then purchased and restored by The Fighter Collection and made its first post-restoration flight in John is one of the world's leading exponents of historic aircraft display flying and a regular in Canada as one of few with the experience on type to fly the Messerschmitt Emil based at Russell Group Aviation at Niagara Falls. I had flown and passed my proficiency and general handling and display practice sorties for the season in the Hurricane - an annual check process.

I was due back in to Duxford a couple of days later to fly another sortie and called in to see John in his office. In addition to his display flying skills, John is one of the world's leading historic aircraft restorers and is Managing Director of the Aircraft Restoration Company based at Duxford - to which various parts from a variety of Vintage Wings of Canada aircraft are sent for work.

I have a reputation for being a Hurricane devotee and knowing this, John said to me "You are going to like this! John was going to lead me in a formation display over Duxford. We carried out the first three rules of formation display flying; 1 Brief, 2 Brief, 3 Brief and then walked out to the two waiting Hurricanes. The first impression when you stand next to a "Hurri" is always the same - it's big!

Much bigger and sturdier and more workman-like than the Spitfire, and very much an aeroplane that you climb up to rather than step into! For me, it is like walking out to an old friend. We both strapped into our aeroplanes and went through pre-flight checks. All ready - thumbs up to John. Both brought our 27 litres of Rolls Royce's finest the Merlin engine to life. Through post start checks and again thumbs up to John in the lead Hurri indicating that I am ready to taxi.

To the holding point and line up together for power checks. Looking over at the photographers by the holding point who can't believe their luck with the rare sight of two Hurris close to, don't think I can believe it either!

Through the checks, all by pnemonics and numbers. John calls up "Hurricane Formation ready for departure. Retrieved 2 July About Us - Aircraft Status. Ellis, Ken Wrecks and Relics. Manchester: Crecy Publishing. ISBN