Hawker Hurricane: The Multirole Fighter

Author(s): Philip Birtles 

ISBN: 9781781555873
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The untold story of the iconic Hawker Hurricane and its young pilots that saved Britain from enemy invasion to win the Battle of Britain.
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  • Previously unpublished accounts from the designers, builders and aircrew of the beloved Hawker Hurricane

  • Many contemporary and previously unpublished photographs

  • Comprehensive details on the conservation of surviving aircraft


Hawker Hurricane: The Multirole Fighter covers the design, development, production and operations of the Hawker Hurricane before, during and after the Second World War. Without the courage of the young men from Britain and the Commonwealth risking their lives to beat the Luftwaffe and forestalling the enemy invasion of Britain, there would not have been a Battle of Britain.

The Hurricane was a simple and rugged metal structure that did not require expensive assembly jigs and not only absorbed battle damage, but was simple to repair. Its wide-track undercarriage allowed operations from rapidly prepared grass fields and its cannon and rocket projectiles could destroy soft skin and armoured targets. Spitfires took over much of the air to air interception while Hurricanes roamed over Europe destroying ground targets. Hurricanes operated off merchant ships on Russian convoys and were vital in the defence of Malta.

Hurricanes operated with the Soviet Air Force and the deserts of North Africa, supporting the 8th Army against the forces of Rommel, as well with distinction in Asia.


BOOK ISBN 9781781555873
FORMAT 248 x 172 mm
BINDING Hardback
PAGES 448 pages
PUBLICATION DATE 15 May 2017
TERRITORY World
ILLUSTRATIONS 473 black-and-white photographs

 

 





Philip Birtles started work as an engineering apprentice at the de Havilland Aircraft Company in September 1957. Following the completion of his training, he was appointed as PA to John Cunningham—the famous Second World War night-fighter ace. Philip held a number of marketing positions over the remainder of his career in the aerospace industry, taking early retirement when Hatfield Aerodrome finally closed at the end of 1993. He spent over forty years as a trustee of the de Havilland Aircraft Museum, and he has written over thirty-five books.

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