raf Hurricane fighter aeroplane pics
At the end of June 1940, following the fall of France, the majority of the RAF's 36 fighter squadrons were equipped with Hurricanes. The Battle of Britain officially lasted from 10 July until 31 October 1940, but the heaviest fighting took place between 8 August and 21 September 1940. Both the Supermarine Spitfire and the Hurricane are renowned for their part in defending Britain against the Luftwaffe's might — generally the Spitfire would intercept the German fighters leaving Hurricanes to concentrate on destroying the bombers, but despite the undoubted abilities of the "thoroughbred" Spitfire, it was the "workhorse" Hurricane that scored the highest number of RAF victories during this period, accounting for 1,593 out of the 2,739 total claimed.
As a fighter, the Hurricane had a few drawbacks. It was slower than both the Spitfire and Bf 109, and the thick wings made acceleration slow. While it was sturdy and stable, the Hurricane's construction had made it very dangerous when on fire: the forward fuel-tank sat right in front of the instrument panel, without any form of firewall between it and the pilot. Many Hurricane pilots were horribly burned. As in the Spitfire, the Merlin engine suffered from negative-G cut-out, a problem not cured until the introduction of the Miss Shilling's orifice in early 1941.
The only Battle of Britain Hurricane Victoria Cross was awarded to Flight Lieutenant Eric Nicolson, of 249 Squadron as a result of an action on 16 August 1940 when his section of three Hurricanes was "bounced" from above by Bf 110 fighters. All three were hit simultaneously. Nicolson was badly wounded, and his Hurricane was damaged and engulfed in flames. While attempting to leave the cockpit, Nicolson noticed that one of the Bf 110s had overshot his aircraft. He returned to the cockpit, which by now was a blazing inferno, engaged the enemy, and may have shot the Bf 110 down
As a fighter, the Hurricane had a few drawbacks. It was slower than both the Spitfire and Bf 109, and the thick wings made acceleration slow. While it was sturdy and stable, the Hurricane's construction had made it very dangerous when on fire: the forward fuel-tank sat right in front of the instrument panel, without any form of firewall between it and the pilot. Many Hurricane pilots were horribly burned. As in the Spitfire, the Merlin engine suffered from negative-G cut-out, a problem not cured until the introduction of the Miss Shilling's orifice in early 1941.
The only Battle of Britain Hurricane Victoria Cross was awarded to Flight Lieutenant Eric Nicolson, of 249 Squadron as a result of an action on 16 August 1940 when his section of three Hurricanes was "bounced" from above by Bf 110 fighters. All three were hit simultaneously. Nicolson was badly wounded, and his Hurricane was damaged and engulfed in flames. While attempting to leave the cockpit, Nicolson noticed that one of the Bf 110s had overshot his aircraft. He returned to the cockpit, which by now was a blazing inferno, engaged the enemy, and may have shot the Bf 110 down
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