The Hawker Nimrod was a British carrier-based fighter developed in the early 1930s by Sydney Camm and Hawker Aircraft.
It was designed to replace the ageing Fairey Flycatcher in Fleet Air Arm (FAA) service.
The Nimrod emerged from the lineage of the Hawker Hoopoe and shared structural and aerodynamic similarities with the land-based Hawker Fury but was purpose-built for naval operations.
First Flight
14 October 1931
Introduction
1933
Total Built
92 aircraft across all variants
The Nimrod was a single-seat, single-engine biplane with mixed construction—metal framework and fabric skinning.
It featured
Unequal-span staggered wings with N-form interplane struts
Fixed tailwheel undercarriage with arrestor gear for carrier landings
Open cockpit positioned for optimal visibility
Twin synchronised. 303 Vickers machine guns firing through the propeller arc
Capability to carry up to four 20 lb bombs for light strike missions
Variants and Technical Progression
Nimrod Mk I
Engine
477 hp Rolls-Royce Kestrel IIMS
Production
57 built
Notes
Served aboard HMS Courageous and HMS Glorious.
One aircraft was converted to a floatplane for trials
Nimrod Mk II
Engine
608 hp Kestrel VFp
Production
30 built
Features
Swept upper wings for improved pilot visibility, refined tailplane, and enhanced performance
Danish Nimrod & Nimrodderne
Pattern Aircraft
Two built by Hawker for Denmark, powered by Kestrel IIIS
License Production
Ten built locally for the Royal Danish Navy
Operational Use
Coastal defense and fleet support until German invasion in 1940
AXH1
(Japanese Evaluation)
One aircraft supplied to the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1934
Used for evaluation of British carrier fighter design and inline engine performance
Operational History
Fleet Air Arm Service
The Nimrod entered FAA service in 1933 and was the first truly modern naval fighter in British service.
It replaced the Flycatcher and introduced higher speeds, better climb rates, and more robust carrier handling.
It operated from Royal Navy carriers and shore bases, performing fleet defence, interception, and training roles.
By 1939, the Nimrod was obsolete and retired from frontline service, replaced by aircraft like the Blackburn Skua and Gloster Sea Gladiator. However, a few remained in use for
Deck landing training
Instructional airframes
Local defense roles at FAA shore stations
Export and Legacy
The Nimrod’s export success was modest but notable.
Denmark and Japan evaluated or operated the type, and its design influenced naval aviation thinking in both countries.
Though it saw no combat in WWII, its role in shaping carrier fighter tactics and training was significant.
Legacy and Preservation
The Nimrod is remembered as one of the most elegant biplanes of its era.
Its clean lines, powerful Kestrel engine, and naval adaptations made it a standout among interwar fighters.
Surviving examples are rare, but restored aircraft occasionally appear at airshows, showcasing the thunderous sound of the Kestrel and the sleek silhouette of Hawker’s silver biplane lineage.
