Hawker Typhoon
The Hawker Typhoon was a British single-seat fighter-bomber developed by Hawker Aircraft during World War II.
Originally conceived as a replacement for the Hawker Hurricane, the Typhoon was designed for medium-high altitude interception, but persistent design issues prevented it from fulfilling this role effectively.
Design & Early Development
Initially configured to carry twelve .303 inch (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns and powered by the then-modern 2,000 hp (1,500 kW) Napier Sabre engine.
Entered service in mid-1941, but faced serious teething problems that cast doubt on its operational future.
Its breakthrough came when the Typhoon proved capable of intercepting the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 at low altitudes—an edge over other RAF aircraft.
Evolving Combat Roles
Took on new responsibilities as a low-altitude interceptor, night intruder, and long-range fighter.
From late 1942, bomb racks were introduced, with bomb-armed Typhoons earning the nickname “Bombphoon.”
RP-3 rockets were added in late 1943, turning the aircraft into an effective ground-attack platform alongside its four 20 mm Hispano autocannon.
Extended Range & Payload
In 1943, Typhoons began carrying 45 Imperial gallon (200 L) drop tanks, extending their operational range up to 1,090 nautical miles (2,020 km).
Enabled deep strikes into occupied Europe, notably France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Production shifted focus toward fighter-bomber configurations, with 500 lb bomb racks fitted from October 1942;
by mid-1943 all production aircraft had bomb-carrying capability.
Technical Enhancements
Upgrades included:
Larger tail wheel tyres from aircraft EK238 onward for better ground handling.
Extended shell ejector slots for safe clearance of ordnance.
780 lb (350 kg) of cockpit and engine armour to protect from ground fire.
Enhanced brakes for bomb-equipped variants.
Following successful tests, support for 1,000 lb bombs was added, necessitating:
Adoption of four-bladed propellers (de Havilland or Rotol).
Implementation of enlarged Hawker Tempest-style tailplanes for improved stability.
Initial integration of these systems was delayed due to oil seal issues and maintenance bottlenecks.
About 200 aircraft featured Tempest tails while retaining the earlier three-bladed propeller.
Rocket Armament
In June 1943, the Typhoon was equipped with four steel Mark I rocket rails under each wing for RP-3 munitions.
The aircraft retained good handling characteristics despite a top speed reduction of 38 mph (61 km/h).
181 Squadron introduced rocket-armed Typhoons in October 1943, and by D-Day the RAF fielded:
11 rocket-armed (“Rockphoon”) squadrons
7 bomb-armed (“Bombphoon”) squadrons
Experimental configurations supported up to 12 rockets using double-banked rails.
Mark III aluminium rocket rails (lighter than Mk I) replaced earlier units from December 1944 onward.
Avionics & Field Adaptations
In late 1943, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems were upgraded with wing-mounted “bayonet” aerials.
Rebecca transponder units added in 1944, enhancing approach and navigation capabilities.
Normandy field operations revealed engine damage due to abrasive dust;
Napier quickly developed a mushroom-shaped air filter, later replaced by a more reliable drum-style Mod.420 filter with automatic doors to counter engine backfires.
Tropical Modifications
By June 1944, tropical filters were standardised across production as Mod.421, appearing as a streamlined “hump” behind the radiator.
These enhanced operational resilience in dusty or sandy environments.
Experimental Upgrades
Aircraft R8694 was tested with a more powerful Sabre IV engine and annular radiator set-up.
Despite impressive speed claims (452 mph / 727 km/h), the upgrades were not adopted due to looming Hawker Tempest production and logistical disruption.
Sub-Variants
Night Fighter Prototype – Typhoon N.F. Mk IB
In 1943, Typhoon R7881 was converted into a prototype night fighter designated N.F. Mk IB.
It was outfitted with airborne interception radar (AI), a modified cockpit tailored for night operations, and several additional adaptations to evaluate its suitability for nocturnal missions.
The variant remained experimental and was not adopted into large-scale production.
Tropicalized Typhoons
Also in 1943, five Typhoon aircraft underwent tropical modifications, primarily involving the installation of an air filter housed within a fairing behind the main radiator.
These adaptations were trailed by No. 451 Squadron RAAF in Egypt.
Despite the successful completion of trials, the tropical variant did not enter broader service at the time.
Tactical Reconnaissance – Typhoon FR IB
Developed in early 1944, the FR IB served as a tactical reconnaissance platform.
To accommodate camera equipment, the port inner cannon was removed and replaced with three F24 cameras:
One forward-facing 14-inch (360 mm)
Two vertical 5-inch units
Only a limited number of FR IBs were produced, primarily serving with No. 268 Squadron beginning in July 1944.
However, the variant proved unpopular among pilots due to its poor photo quality—caused by excessive engine and airframe vibration—and general preference for the older Mustang reconnaissance aircraft.
The FR IB was officially withdrawn from service in January 1945.
Naval Designs
Sea Typhoon Proposal – Hawker P.1009
In 1941, delays in Blackburn’s N.11/40 naval fighter led the Admiralty to evaluate a maritime adaptation of the Typhoon.
The proposed Hawker P.1009 included:
A redesigned centre wing section with an expanded wingspan over 45 ft (14 m)
Folding wings hinged to swing parallel with the fuselage, inspired by the Grumman F6F Hellcat
An extended rear fuselage
Naval arrestor hook and catapult-launch gear
Ultimately, the project was abandoned as the modified Typhoon was not expected to reach production any sooner than the N.11/40, which later evolved into the post-war Blackburn Firebrand following a role change and engine upgrade to the Centaurus.
Carrier Trials – Typhoon DW419
In November 1942, Typhoon DW419 was allocated for carrier suitability trials amid concerns over the fragility of Seafires in naval service.
The Typhoon’s robust construction was considered a potential asset.
However, DW419 crashed in February 1943, and assessments concluded that the aircraft’s long take-off run and high stall speed rendered it unsuitable for carrier operations.
The concept was formally dismissed by the end of that year.
