The Hawker Fury was born from the success of the Hawker Hart light bomber and its fighter derivative, the Hawker F.20/27 prototype.
Designed by Sydney Camm, the Fury evolved from the Hawker Hornet, a sleek, all-metal biplane powered initially by a Rolls-Royce F.XIA engine.
The Hornet’s superior handling and performance over rivals like the Fairey Firefly II led to its selection by the Air Ministry, which ordered 21 production aircraft in 1930 under the name “Fury”—a term chosen to reflect aggressive fighter spirit.
RAF Service and Performance
Introduced in 1931, the Fury Mk I became the first RAF fighter capable of exceeding 200 mph in level flight.
Powered by a 525 hp Rolls-Royce Kestrel IIs engine, it featured
A lightweight, all-metal airframe with fabric covering
Single-bay staggered wings
Twin synchronised. 303 Vickers machine guns
Its agility and climb rate (10,000 ft in under 5 minutes) made it ideal for interception duties.
It served with elite RAF squadrons, including No. 1, No. 25, and No. 43, and was a favourite among aerobatic teams due to its responsive controls.
Fury Mk II and Evolution
The Fury Mk II, introduced in 1936, incorporated aerodynamic refinements and a more powerful 640 hp Kestrel VI engine.
It offered
Improved speed (up to 223 mph)
Better rate of climb
Cleaner airframe with reduced drag
112 Mk IIs were built, but by the outbreak of WWII, they were largely relegated to training roles as monoplane fighters like the Hurricane and Spitfire took over frontline duties.
Export Success and Global Variants
Despite modest RAF production, the Fury saw widespread export success, with multiple custom variants
Yugoslav Fury
Most advanced export model, powered by a 745 hp Kestrel XVI. Featured cantilever undercarriage and provision for four machine guns.
Ten built by Hawker and 40 licence-built by Ikarus and Zmaj.
Saw combat during the Axis invasion in 1941.
Persian Fury
22 aircraft delivered to Iran, split between Pratt & Whitney Hornet and Bristol Mercury radial engines.
Used for defence and training.
Spanish Fury
Three aircraft fitted with 700 hp Hispano-Suiza 12Xbrs engines.
Delivered during the Spanish Civil War era.
Portuguese Fury
Three modified Mk Is with Kestrel engines.
Norwegian Fury
One trial aircraft with a 530 hp Armstrong-Siddeley Panther IIIA radial.
Fury Series 1A
Yugoslav test batch; one fitted with Hispano-Suiza 12 NB (later re-engined), another tested with Lorraine Petrel HFrs.
These variants often featured local adaptations in engine type, undercarriage, and armament, reflecting Hawker’s flexibility in meeting foreign requirements.
Legacy and Influence
Though obsolete by WWII, the Fury’s design lineage directly influenced the Hawker Hurricane, often jokingly called the ”Fury Monoplane”.
Its clean lines, metal construction, and high-speed performance set new standards for biplane fighters.
The Fury remained in service with some export customers into the late 1940s.
