The purpose of this site is to highlight the major design, engineering and materials science breakthroughs that gave each iconic World War II warbird its unique flight characteristics. We hope you enjoy!!
The Hurricane Mark II was an evolution of the earlier Hurricane Mark I. It featured improvements in armaments and a more powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin XX engine, which enhanced its performance. The Mark II entered service in September 1940, at the peak of the Battle of Britain.
While the Hurricane is often associated with air-to-air combat, the Mark II variant was also adapted for ground attack missions, where its manoeuvrability allowed it to accurately engage ground targets, especially armored vehicles.
The following flight characteristics were crucial for pilots to understand in order to effectively operate this iconic World War II fighter aircraft in a combat envirnoment:
Armament: One of the main distinguishing features of the Hurricane Mark II was its wide array of armaments. Typically it was armed with 8 .303-inch Browning machine guns, with four in each wing. Some variants had up to 12 .303 Brownings whilst others had two 20 millimeter Hispano cannons and four .303-inch machine guns. The variant in this image is the Mark IIC, which had four Hispano mark 2 20 millimeter wing-mounted cannons. The Hurricane Mark II could also carry air-to-ground rockets and up to 1,000 pounds of bombs.
Engine: The Rolls-Royce Merlin XX V-12 engine featured a two-speed supercharger that was manually set by the pilot, with an impeller gear change usually made between 13,000 to 18,000 feet. For take-off at sea level, the Merlin XX engine could produce 1,280 horsepower and, at 14,750 feet altitude with high boost, it could produce its maximum power of 1,405 horsepower. Perhaps of equal importance to the pilot, the Merlin XX engine was cooled by a 30% glycol / 70% water mix, which significantly decreased risk of fire. Improved cooling also reduced engine operating temperatures and improved engine reliability.
Engine Management: The Hurricane Mark II was equipped with an automatic fuel mixture control, which maintained optimal mixture. Engine RPM had an automatic governor that adjusted propeller pitch to maintain the desired RPM. This feature was especially useful during climbs and dives. Water and oil temperatures were monitored and controlled manually. Propeller pitch could also be controlled manually.
Whilst managing the Merlin XX engine required attention to detail and adherence to procedures, it was not considered overly difficult for trained pilots.
Maneuverability: The Hurricane was known for its maneuverability. Its large wings, generous wing area and good control surfaces allowed for good low-speed handling and tight turns. It was agile and an effective dogfighter. On paper, its maximum performance turn was better than a Bf109E7, but not as good as a contemporary Spitfire. Against a BF109E7, a Hurricane Mark II might have the edge in terms of raw turning ability but the outcome of any dogfight is highly dynamic and influenced by numerous variables, including pilot skill, altitude, and tactics.
Speed: The top speed of the Hurricane Mark II has been reported as 340 mph (547 km/h) at medium altitudes, which was very similar to its main fighter adversary, the Bf 109 E7. At higher altitudes, the Hurricane’s speed reduced and the E7 had the advantage.
Climb: Sustained climb rates at lower altitudes are good, but above 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) climb rate is 20% lower than a contemporary P-51D and 50% lower than a Spitfire XIV. Because the airframe is extremely streamlined, little energy is lost during high speed short climbs.
Dive: The Hurricane Mark II was known for respectable diving performance. As with other RAF fighters of the time, a half-roll was required to initiate a quick dive. This was partially solved by the introduction of the Tilly orifice in March 1941. The Hurricane was stable at higher dive speeds but, as with most World War 2 era planes, its controls would stiffen. Due to structural limits, it had a recommended maximum safe dive speed of 390 miles per hour (630 kilometers per hour). However many after-action reports document stable (but heavy) controls up to 450 miles per hour (720 kilometers per hour).
In closing: The Hawker Hurricane Mark II entered service during 1940, at the height of the Battle of Britain, and remained in service throughout the Second World War. Overall, 14,737 Hurricanes were produced with 9,437 of these being Mark II. When a skilled pilot understood its performance envelope, the Hawker Hurricane Mark II excelled at its multiple roles.