Hawker Nimrod

Hawker Nimrod

The Hawker Nimrod was a naval adaptation of the land-based Hawker Fury, designed by Sydney Camm for the Fleet Air Arm (FAA).

First flown in 1930 and introduced in 1933, it was a single-seat, carrier-capable biplane fighter powered by a Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine.

Two main variants were produced

Nimrod Mk I

57 built, powered by Kestrel II MS (477 hp)

Nimrod Mk II

28 built and upgraded with Kestrel V (608 hp) and slightly swept wings for better aerodynamics

Pre-War Service

The Nimrod replaced the Fairey Flycatcher in FAA service, offering superior speed, climb rate, and armament.

It operated from Royal Navy carriers such as HMS Courageous and HMS Glorious and was also used for deck landing training and fleet defence.

Its fixed undercarriage and open cockpit were typical of early 1930s naval fighters.

WWII Role and Retirement

By the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, the Nimrod was already obsolete.

It had been retired from frontline FAA service in May 1939, replaced by more modern aircraft like the Blackburn Skua and Gloster Sea Gladiator.

However, a few Nimrods remained in use for

Training

Used at FAA training schools for deck landing practice and pilot familiarisation.

Secondary Duties

Some may have been retained for local defence or utility roles at shore bases, though no combat deployments are recorded.

Legacy

The Nimrod did not see combat in WWII but played a crucial transitional role in naval aviation

It helped establish carrier fighter tactics in the interwar period.

Its design lineage contributed to the development of later Hawker aircraft.

Surviving examples are now prized for their aesthetic and historical value, with restored airworthy models occasionally seen at airshows.

Nimrod I

Operator

Fleet Air Arm (FAA), United Kingdom

Engine

477 hp Rolls-Royce Kestrel IIMS

Production

57 built

Notes

Introduced in 1933 as the FAA’s first monoplane-speed-capable biplane fighter.

Derived from the Hawker Fury but adapted for carrier operations with strengthened undercarriage and arrestor gear.

It featured a fixed tailwheel undercarriage, an open cockpit, and twin synchronised .303 Vickers machine guns.

Operated from carriers like HMS Courageous and HMS Glorious.

Used for fleet defence and deck landing training until retirement in 1939.

One early production aircraft was converted to floatplane configuration for trials.

Nimrod II

Operator

Fleet Air Arm (FAA), United Kingdom

Engine

608 hp Rolls-Royce Kestrel IIS or VFp

Production

30 built

Notes

Introduced in 1934–35 as an improved version with swept upper wings for better visibility and aerodynamic refinement.

Featured a more powerful engine and revised tailplane for improved handling.

Used primarily for advanced training and carrier operations.

Retired before WWII combat began, but some remained in service for instructional duties.

Danish Nimrod

(Pattern Aircraft)

Operator

Royal Danish Navy

Engine

Rolls-Royce Kestrel IIIS

Production

Two built by Hawker and exported to Denmark

Notes

It served as a pattern aircraft for local licence production.

Used for evaluation and pilot training.

Retained standard Nimrod I configuration with minor adaptations for Danish service.

Nimrodderne

(Danish Licence-Built Nimrods)

Operator

Royal Danish Navy

Engine

Kestrel IIIS

(same as pattern aircraft)

Production

Ten built under licence in Denmark

Notes

Locally manufactured by Danish Naval Workshops.

Used for coastal defence and fleet air arm duties.

Operational until the German invasion of Denmark in April 1940.

Some were reportedly destroyed or captured during the occupation.

AXH1

(Japanese Evaluation Aircraft)

Operator

Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service

Engine

Rolls-Royce Kestrel IIMS

Production

One supplied in 1934

Notes

Designated AXH1 by the Japanese Navy.

Used for evaluation of British carrier fighter design and inline engine performance.

Influenced Japanese interest in liquid-cooled engines, though radial designs remained dominant.

No further orders followed; the aircraft was likely retired or scrapped after trials.

Specifications

Crew

1

Length

26 ft 6 in (8.08 m)

Wingspan

33 ft 7 in (10.24 m)

Height

9 ft 10 in (3.00 m)

Wing area

300 sq ft (28 m²)

Airfoil

RAF 28

Empty weight

3,110 lb (1,411 kg)

Max take-off weight

4,050 lb (1,837 kg)

Powerplant

1 × Rolls-Royce Kestrel VFP,

V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine,

525 hp (391 kW)

Propellers

2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller

Performance

Maximum speed

194 mph (312 km/h, 169 kn)

Range

305 mi (491 km, 265 nmi)

Service ceiling

28,000 ft (8,500 m)

Armament

Guns

2 × forward-firing fixed. 303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns

Bombs

4 × 20 lb (9 kg) bombs on underwing racks