The Hawker Hurricane has rightly earned its place in military aviation
annals. Although only preceding the Spitfire by four months in its
prototypic launch, the Hawker machine was available in measurably
greater numbers by the Battle of Britain, a very critical stage of WWII
for Britain and its Empire. Its rugged qualities saw use in the
Mediterranean and Far East Theaters, and on the Russia Front. It adapted
equally well to naval operations as a CAM-ship protector for Allied
convoys and then as the first truly modern British fighter design to
operate off the Fleet Air Arm's aircraft carriers. The solid wing
structure lent itself naturally to the carriage of bombs and
heavier-scale weaponry such as the 40 mm cannon that dealt out a fair
measure of punishment. The few airworthy examples are a poignant
reminder of Britain's WWII aviation prowess. Part of the Legends of
Warfare series.