Hurricane - Philip Birtles

Alongside the Spitfire, the Hawker Hurricane won lasting fame in the service of RAF Fighter Command during the battle of Britain in 1940 - out of every five enemy aircraft shot down, three were 'dispatched' by Hurricanes. Over 11,700 examples were eventually built of this versatile and deadly combat aircraft, fulfilling an incredible number of contrasting roles from its original concept as a high-speed interceptor fighter, through fighter-bomber, tank-buster to night-fighter, intruder and naval convoy defence fighter. In this fully illustrated history, the design, development and production of Sydney Camm's war-winning aircraft are described in detail, including particulars of its construction. The widely varied operational roles during the Second World War, both at home and overseas, are examined, and reveal how the Hurricane rose to each new challenge with which it was presented. The book concludes with a look the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and a review of surviving examples of the Hurricane worldwide. A series of comprehensive appendices gives full details of Hurricane production figures, production variants, and operational service with all RAF and Royal Navy squadrons and units. This in-depth history of an all-time classic combat aircraft, written by an authority on the subject, will appeal to all with an interest in military aviation and the Second World War.