The Hawker Hurricane was one of the most important Allied fighter aircraft of World War II.
Though often overshadowed by the Supermarine Spitfire in popular memory, the Hurricane was the workhorse of the Royal Air Force (RAF), accounting for the majority of aerial victories during the early years of the war.
Design & Development
Designer
Sydney Camm of Hawker Aircraft.
First Flight November 6, 1935.
Production
Over 14,487 units built between 1937 and 1944.
Engine
Rolls-Royce Merlin V12.
Armament
(varied by variant)
Early models
8 × .303 Browning machine guns.
Later models
12 machine guns or 4 × 20 mm cannons.
Ground-attack variants
bombs or 40 mm cannons.
Battle of Britain (1940)
Primary Role
Interception of German bombers and fighters.
Impact Responsible for 60% of Luftwaffe losses during the campaign.
Strengths
Rugged construction allowed it to absorb damage.
Easier to repair than the Spitfire.
Deployment
32 Hurricane squadrons vs 19 Spitfire squadrons at peak.
Other European Operations
Operation Dynamo (Dunkirk Evacuation, 1940)
Provided critical air cover against Luftwaffe attacks.
Battle of France (1940)
Deployed in support of British Expeditionary Forces.
Suffered heavy losses during German blitzkrieg.
Night Fighter Role
Hurricanes painted black for nocturnal operations.
Global Deployment
North Africa
Adapted for ground-attack missions.
Effective against Axis armour using rockets and bombs.
Mediterranean & Balkans
Supported Allied operations in Greece, Crete, and Yugoslavia.
Eastern Front
Supplied to Soviet Union under Lend-Lease.
Far East
Used in Burma and India against Japanese forces.
Naval Variant
Sea Hurricane
Modifications
Arrestor hook for carrier landings.
Catapult-launch capability from merchant ships.
Role
Convoy protection and fleet defence.
Legacy
Versatility
Served in every major theatre of WWII.
Reliability
Praised for ease of maintenance and durability.
Recognition
Though eclipsed by the Spitfire in fame, the Hurricane was the backbone of RAF Fighter Command during the war’s most critical early years.
Variants
Hurricane Mk.I
The initial production variant of the Hawker Hurricane, designated Mk.I, featured fabric-covered wings and was equipped with either a wooden two-bladed fixed-pitch propeller (on the first 435 units) or a three-bladed, two-pitch propeller.
It was powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin Mk.II or Mk.III engines, delivering 1,030 horsepower (770 kW)—with the first 364 aircraft utilising the Mk.II.
Armament comprised eight .303 inch (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns mounted in the wings.
Production spanned from 1937 to 1939.
Hurricane Mk.I (Updated Variant)
An enhanced version of the original Hurricane Mk.I introduced several key upgrades beginning in February 1940.
These revisions included the adoption of constant-speed propellers—either by de Havilland or Rotol—alongside metal-skinned wings, added armour protection, and other refinements to improve combat survivability and performance.
Production totalled 4,200 aircraft between December 1937 and October 1941:
Hawker Aircraft: 1,924 units
Gloster Aircraft Company: 1,850 units
Canadian Car and Foundry: 426 units
All Canadian-built Hurricanes, except for 30 retained domestically, were shipped to the United Kingdom for engine installation prior to deployment.
Hurricane Mk.IIA Series 1
The Hurricane Mk.IIA Series 1 was an upgraded variant of the Mk.I, powered by the more advanced Rolls-Royce Merlin XX engine, featuring a two-speed supercharger.
This engine employed a safer coolant mixture of 30% glycol and 70% water, reducing flammability and allowing the engine to run approximately 21 °C (38 °F) cooler—enhancing reliability and extending operational life.
Due to the increased length of the Merlin XX, the airframe incorporated a 4.5-inch structural extension ahead of the cockpit, which subtly shifted the centre of gravity forward and improved overall stability.
The first prototype took flight on 11 June 1940, with squadron deployment beginning in September of the same year.
Production details:
Hawker Aircraft: 418 units
Gloster Aircraft Company: 33 units
The designation “Series 1” is believed to refer to the initial production batch, which did not include all proposed upgrades.
Subsequent iterations with these additional refinements were later classified as Series 2.
Hurricane Mk.IIB
The Mk.IIB variant of the Hawker Hurricane introduced increased fire-power with twelve wing-mounted .303 inch (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns—four more than its predecessor.
Additionally, 230 units were factory-equipped with under-wing racks enabling the carriage of either two 250 lb (110 kg) or two 500 lb (230 kg) bombs.
This configuration reduced the aircraft’s maximum speed to 301 mph (484 km/h), but coordinated missions involving bomb-laden Hurricanes escorted by fighter-configured Hurricanes became a common operational tactic.
The same under-wing racks could also accommodate two 45 imperial gallon (200 L) drop tanks in place of bombs, effectively doubling the aircraft’s fuel capacity and extending operational range.
Production figures include:
Hawker Aircraft: 2,011 units
Gloster Aircraft Company: 867 units
Austin Aero Company: 300 units
Canadian Car and Foundry: 515 units (built between November 1941 and March 1943)
Notably, many of the Canadian-built Hurricanes were delivered with C-type wings, capable of mounting 20 mm cannons, prior to entering service with the Royal Air Force.
Hurricane Mk.IIB Trop.
Designed for operations in the harsh desert environment of North Africa, the Hurricane Mk.IIB Trop. was a tropicalised adaptation of the standard Mk.IIB.
Modifications included the installation of Vokes and Rolls-Royce engine dust filters to protect against sand and airborne particulates.
In addition to mechanical upgrades, pilots were equipped with desert survival kits tailored to the region’s extreme conditions.
These kits typically included a bottle of water stowed behind the cockpit for emergency use.
Several other Hurricane variants also underwent similar tropicalisation to support Allied campaigns across arid theatres.
Hurricane Mk.IIC
The Hurricane Mk.IIC introduced a significant upgrade in fire-power, replacing the original machine guns with four 20 mm (0.79 in) Hispano Mk.II cannons—two mounted in each wing.
This configuration enhanced its effectiveness against both aerial and ground targets.
Subsequent revisions to the wing design added hardpoints for ordnance, enabling the carriage of either 500 lb (230 kg) or 250 lb (110 kg) bombs.
Later configurations included provisions for fuel drop tanks to extend operational range.
By this stage of the war, the Hurricane’s performance lagged behind newer German fighters, prompting a shift in operational role.
It became a dedicated ground-attack aircraft, often referred to as the “Hurribomber.”
The Mk.IIC also took on specialized roles as a night fighter and intruder, with approximately three-quarters of the production run modified into fighter-bomber variants.
Production Overview:
Manufacturer: Hawker Aircraft
Units Built: 4,751
Production Period: February 1941 – July 1944
Hurricane Mk.IID
The Hurricane Mk.IID was a specialized ground-attack variant optimised for anti-tank missions.
It was equipped with twin 40 mm (1.57 in) cannons housed in gondola-style pods beneath each wing, along with a single wing-mounted Browning machine gun per side loaded with tracer rounds to assist with targeting.
The prototype first flew on 18 September 1941, with deliveries commencing in 1942.
To suit its role, the Mk.IID featured additional armour protection around the cockpit, engine, and radiator.
Initially armed with a Rolls-Royce 40 mm gun carrying 12 rounds, this was later replaced by the Vickers S gun, which held 15 rounds per cannon.
Structural enhancements were made to the outer wing attachments, allowing the aircraft to endure up to 4G at a weight of 8,540 lb (3,870 kg).
While the added fire-power and armour somewhat reduced flight performance, the variant proved highly effective in its niche role.
Production Summary:
Manufacturer: Hawker Aircraft
Units Built: 296
Production Period: January 1942 – February 1943
Hurricane Mk.IIE
(Unofficial Designation)
The Hurricane Mk.IIE was not an officially recognised variant within the Hurricane series.
The designation initially appeared informally within the Royal Air Force to describe 100 Hurricane Mk.IIB aircraft factory-fitted with bomb racks, produced between September and December 1941.
These were later re-designated as Mk.IIBB.
The term Mk.IIE was also adopted by the Ministry of Aircraft Production from March to October 1942, referring to continued bomb-equipped production batches.
A total of 270 aircraft are considered to have been associated with this designation, comprising:
230 Mk.IIBB
40 Mk.IICB
These were ultimately categorised under the later RAF nomenclature as 230 Mk.IIB and 40 Mk.IIC.
A formal communication to Middle East command dated 31 October 1942 clarified that Mk.IIE was not an official mark and should not be confused with the subsequent Mk.IV, which featured broader enhancements.
Hurricane Mk.T.IIC
A rare two-seat training adaptation of the Hurricane Mk.IIC, this variant was developed specifically for export.
Only two aircraft were constructed, both destined for service with the Imperial Iranian Air Force.
The Mk.T.IIC retained the core features of the Mk.IIC but incorporated a second cockpit to facilitate pilot instruction.
Hurricane Mk.IV
The Hurricane Mk.IV marked the final major evolution in the series, distinguished by its introduction of the “universal wing”—a versatile platform capable of supporting a wide array of armaments and mission-specific equipment.
The wing configuration could accommodate:
Two bombs: 250 lb (110 kg) or 500 lb (230 kg)
Two anti-tank guns: 40 mm (1.57 in) Vickers S or Rolls-Royce B.H. types
SBCs or SCIs: Small Bomb Containers or Smoke Curtain Installations
Drop tanks: Two external fuel tanks of 45 or 90 imperial gallons
Rocket armament: Eight RP-3 “60-pounder” rockets
For aiming assistance, a pair of .303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns were retained in the wings.
Despite widespread belief to the contrary, the Mk.IV continued to use the Rolls-Royce Merlin XX engine, identical to that fitted in the Mk.II series.
Official records confirm that Merlin 24 and 27 variants were not used in Mk.IV production—all Merlin 27s had been modified into Merlin 25s for use in Mosquito aircraft, and only 16 Merlin 24s existed by the time over 300 Mk.IVs had been delivered.
RAF museum documentation confirms the final Mk.IV unit was equipped with a Merlin XX.
Additional modifications included a deeper, armoured radiator, and extra protection surrounding the engine to enhance survivability in ground-attack operations.
Production Summary:
Manufacturer: Hawker Aircraft
Units Built: 524
Production Period: December 1942 – March 1944
Hurricane Mk.V
The Hurricane Mk.V represented the final iteration of the Hurricane series, though it remained an experimental design and never advanced to full-scale production.
Only one unit was purpose-built, while two Mk.IV aircraft were converted for evaluation.
This variant was intended to be powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin 27 engine, but was also flight-tested with a boosted Merlin 32, capable of delivering up to 1,700 horsepower (1,300 kW) at low altitude.
Designed specifically for ground-attack operations in the Burma theatre, the Mk.V prototypes featured four-bladed propellers to manage the increased power output.
Armament upgrades included the replacement of twin 7.7 mm Browning machine guns with two 20 mm cannons, a configuration realised only in the third prototype.
Despite its limited production, the Mk.V achieved a top speed of 326 mph (525 km/h) at just 500 feet (150 m) altitude.
Hurricane Mk.X
(Unofficial Designation)
The Hurricane Mk.X was not an officially recognised mark within the Hurricane production lineage.
The designation was occasionally used in RAF documentation to refer to Canadian Car and Foundry-built Hurricanes—initially associated with Mk.I airframes but more commonly defined as Mk.II variants fitted with Rolls-Royce Merlin 28 engines.
Between November 1941 and May 1943, Canadian Car and Foundry produced a total of 915 Mk.II airframes for multiple clients, including:
Royal Air Force (RAF)
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF): 400 units
Royal Netherlands Air Force
Approximately two-thirds of these aircraft were shipped to the UK without engines.
The remaining units were fitted with Merlin 28 engines, though this configuration was nearly always removed upon arrival and replaced with the RAF-standard Merlin XX—effectively rendering these aircraft standard Mk.IIs in operational service.
Although 285 Merlin 28 engines were imported to Canada for Hurricane use, none entered long-term flight service in Canada or Britain.
Apart from limited test flights, no Hurricanes were fielded with Merlin 28s as their operational engine.
Hurricane Mk.XI
(Unofficial Designation)
The Hurricane Mk.XI was not an officially recognised mark but appears in several references to describe a subset of aircraft originating from the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Mk.XII order.
A total of 150 Hurricanes under this designation were diverted to the United Kingdom.
Prior to shipment, these aircraft were stripped of various components, including their original Merlin 29 engines.
They were either shipped without powerplants or temporarily fitted with Merlin 28s, which were subsequently removed upon arrival in Britain.
Each was then equipped with the standard Merlin XX engine, aligning them with RAF classification as Mk.II Hurricanes for operational purposes.
Hurricane Mk.XII
The Hurricane Mk.XII was a Canadian-built variant developed by Canadian Car and Foundry under a government order placed on 19 August 1941 for 400 aircraft.
The original distribution plan allocated:
100 units for the Netherlands
300 units for China
However, the Netherlands order was revised to 72 aircraft, and China opted for American models.
This led to 328 Hurricanes being offered to the Soviet Union, intended for shipment across the Pacific.
Ultimately, the entire batch was reassigned for domestic use by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
Initially designated as Mk.IIB, the variant was officially renamed Mk.XII in April 1943.
These were single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber aircraft, powered by the 1,300 hp (970 kW) Packard-built Merlin 29 engine and armed with twelve .303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns.
Production Highlights:
Start Date: June 1942
Units Serving with RCAF: 250
Units Sent to Britain (1943): 150 — shipped either without engines or with Merlin 28s, which were replaced with Merlin XXs upon arrival.
These were subsequently reclassified as Mk.IIs by the RAF.
Hurricane Mk.XIIA
The Hurricane Mk.XIIA was a Canadian-built fighter variant derived from a group of 30 RAF-ordered Mk.I airframes retained in Canada during late 1941.
These aircraft were initially outfitted with Rolls-Royce Merlin III engines and propellers sourced from Fairey Battle aircraft for local use and training purposes.
Upon being re-engined with the Packard-built Merlin 29, the aircraft were re-designated as Mk.XIIA.
Standard armament consisted of eight .303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns, maintaining their effectiveness in both training and limited operational roles.
Holland Standard Hurricane
(Canadian-Built Prototype)
The Holland Standard Hurricane was a specialized prototype built by Canadian Car and Foundry to Dutch specifications, based on RAF serial airframe AM270.
Completed circa March 1942, this aircraft was outfitted to meet the operational requirements of the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (KM/KNIL) and featured a suite of modifications including:
A U.S.-built Merlin engine
American-standard instruments and gun sight
Designated HC3-287 under Dutch serial nomenclature, AM270 served as the prototype for a planned export order.
Its subsequent fate remains ambiguous; however, records indicate it was retained by Canadian Car and Foundry for test flying purposes.
Sea Hurricane Mk.IA
The Sea Hurricane Mk.IA was a naval adaptation of the Hurricane Mk.I, converted by General Aircraft Limited for operation from Catapult-Armed Merchantmen (CAM ships) and Fighter Catapult Ships.
CAM ships were crewed by the Merchant Marine, with aircraft maintained and flown by Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel, while Fighter Catapult Ships were Naval Auxiliary Vessels operated by Royal Navy crews with aircraft assigned to the Fleet Air Arm (FAA).
These vessels were equipped with catapult systems to launch aircraft but lacked recovery facilities.
As a result, unless within range of a land base, pilots were forced to bail out or ditch in the sea—both risky manoeuvres.
Bailouts risked striking the aircraft fuselage, and ditching was complicated by the Hurricane’s radiator housing, which acted as a water brake and scoop, often causing rapid flooding and requiring swift pilot escape followed by retrieval from the sea.
To fulfil this role, Hurricanes underwent over 80 modifications, including:
Naval radio equipment compatible with FAA standards
Instrumentation calibrated in knots rather than miles per hour
Structural reinforcements and other adjustments for catapult launch stresses
Sea Hurricanes of this type were colloquially known as “Hurricats”.
Most aircraft selected for conversion had already seen significant operational service and wear, with one notably breaking apart during a catapult launch trial due to fatigue.
Despite the added weight and reduced performance from naval gear, the Sea Hurricane Mk.IA was well regarded by FAA pilots.
Operational History:
CAM ship launches: 8 documented
Enemy aircraft shot down: 6
Pilots lost: 1
Sea Hurricane Mk.IB
The Sea Hurricane Mk.IB was a navalised version of the Hurricane Mk.I, modified for shipboard operations with the addition of catapult launch spools and an arrester hook for deck landings.
Beginning in July 1941, these aircraft operated from the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Furious, and by October 1941, they were deployed aboard Merchant Aircraft Carriers (MAC ships)—large cargo vessels equipped with flight decks that enabled both launch and recovery of aircraft.
The variant achieved its first aerial victory on 31 July 1941, when Sea Hurricanes from 880 Squadron Fleet Air Arm (FAA) aboard HMS Furious downed a Dornier Do 18 flying boat.
In addition to the British conversions, 50 Sea Hurricane Mk.I aircraft were built in Canada and delivered between late 1941 and early 1942.
These were initially powered by the Merlin III engine, and were subsequently re-engined with Merlin 29s, at which point they were reclassified as Mk.XIIA.
Sea Hurricane Mk.IC
The Sea Hurricane Mk.IC was a reported naval variant of the Hurricane Mk.I equipped with the four-cannon wing, enhancing its combat effectiveness.
While historical accounts suggest hundreds were converted beginning in early 1942, only eight aircraft have been positively identified.
These originated from a batch of ten Sea Hurricanes assigned to General Aircraft Limited in February 1943 by the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit; seven were returned in May bearing the Mk.IC designation.
During Operation Pedestal, Sea Hurricane Mk.I units operated with modified Merlin III engines capable of sustaining 16 psi (110 kPa) boost pressure, generating over 1,400 horsepower (1,000 kW) at low altitudes.
Notably, Lieutenant R. J. Cork achieved five aerial victories flying a Sea Hurricane during this operation.
As of June 1944, RAF records document 378 conversions to Sea Hurricane Mk.I status, excluding any reversion to land-based configuration.
Photographic and archival evidence supports the interpretation that these represented 378 aircraft transferred to the Royal Navy, the majority of which were converted for maritime operations.
Sea Hurricane Mk.IIC
The Sea Hurricane Mk.IIC was a naval adaptation of the standard Mk.IIC, developed for carrier operations and equipped with naval-specific radio systems.
A total of 60 units were built by Hawker Aircraft between November 1942 and May 1943.
In addition to purpose-built examples, standard Mk.IICs were also modified for service aboard fleet carriers, expanding their maritime deployment.
Powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin XX engine, the Sea Hurricane Mk.IIC delivered:
1,460 hp (1,090 kW) at 6,250 ft (1,900 m)
– 1,435 hp (1,070 kW) at 11,000 ft (3,400 m)
Performance benchmarks included:
322 mph (518 km/h) at 13,500 ft (4,100 m)
342 mph (550 km/h) at 22,000 ft (6,700 m)
Further augmenting the fleet, 47 Mk.IIB aircraft were converted to Sea Hurricane Mk.II standard, of which 45 were equipped with C-type wings, allowing the mounting of 20 mm Hispano cannons.
Sea Hurricane Mk.XIIA
The Sea Hurricane Mk.XIIA was a Canadian-built naval variant based on the Hurricane Mk.I platform.
A total of 50 aircraft were produced and delivered between late 1941 and early 1942.
These units were originally equipped with Rolls-Royce Merlin III engines and classified as Mk.I Hurricanes upon completion.
Surviving aircraft were later retrofitted with Packard-built Merlin 29 engines, prompting their reclassification as Mk.XIIA under Canadian designation standards.
This adaptation facilitated maritime operation roles and aligned them with the broader Mk.XII series used by the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Hillson F.H.40
The Hillson F.H.40 was a full-scale experimental aircraft developed by Hillson & Son, based on their earlier Bi-mono slip-wing concept—a hybrid biplane/monoplane design intended to release its upper wing during flight.
The prototype utilised a Hawker Hurricane Mk.I airframe, specifically RCAF serial no. 321 (RAF serial L1884), which had been returned from Canada.
Testing Timeline:
Taxi and flight trials: Conducted at RAF Sealand in May 1943
Further evaluation: Undertaken at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE), Boscombe Down, from September 1943
Despite these trials, the F.H.40’s performance fell short of expectations, and the upper wing was never released during flight.
The program was ultimately terminated due to poor flight characteristics.
Hurricane Photo Reconnaissance
Several Hawker Hurricanes were modified for photo reconnaissance (PR) duties, primarily in Egypt and Malta during 1941.
The earliest conversions were undertaken at the Service Depot in Heliopolis, where three Hurricane Mk.Is were adapted in January 1941:
Two aircraft were fitted with twin F24 cameras, each equipped with 8-inch focal length lenses
One aircraft carried a configuration of one vertical and two oblique F24 cameras with 14-inch lenses, mounted in the rear fuselage near the wing’s trailing edge.
A specially designed fairing was added behind the radiator housing to accommodate this setup.
Further modifications followed:
Five additional Hurricanes converted in March 1941
Two Hurricanes converted in Malta, April 1941, using similar camera arrangements
In October 1941, six Hurricane Mk.IIs were upgraded to PR Mk.II configuration, with a final batch—estimated at 12 aircraft—completed later that year.
These PR Mk.IIs boasted enhanced performance:
Maximum speed: Over 350 mph (560 km/h)
Service ceiling: Up to 38,000 ft (12,000 m)
These conversions played a key role in gathering strategic imagery across the North African and Mediterranean theatres.
Hurricane Tac R
(Tactical Reconnaissance)
The Hurricane Tac R was a field-converted reconnaissance variant tailored for frontline observation missions.
These aircraft were modified to support tactical reconnaissance operations, enabling real-time coordination with ground forces.
Key modifications included:
Installation of an additional radio for direct communication with units on the ground
Optional fitting of a vertical camera within the rear fuselage for battlefield imagery and intelligence gathering
To offset the added equipment weight, some Tac R Hurricanes had part of their standard armament removed—either:
One or two Browning machine guns,
or
Two 20 mm cannons, depending on variant configuration
External Identification:
Tac R Hurricanes remained visually similar to their standard counterparts, with the only notable difference being the missing armament resulting from weight compensation measures.
