Hawker Hurricane Mk IIA

Hawker Hurricane Mk IIA The Hurricane is the unsung hero of the Battle of Britain and one of the most versatile fighters of World War II

The Hurricane is the unsung hero of the Battle of Britain and one of the most versatile fighters of World War II. It was the first eight gun monoplane fighter to be produced by Britain and the first fighter to exceed 300 mph. Test flown on November 6, 1935, the Hurricane was exceptionally manoeuvrable with tight turning radii and excellent gun aiming stability.

From the outset of World War II, the Hurricane proved its mettle. Thirty squadrons underpinned RAF Fighter Command successes. Hurricanes served in France before and during the German Blitzkrieg, were prominent at Dunkirk and in the closing stages of the Battle of France. A squadron was based at Narvik during the last stages of the Norwegian Campaign. Aircraft from this squadron were lost when the carrier HMS Glorious was sunk. Hurricanes were the nemesis of the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain and were particularly effective against the Messerschmitt Bf110 heavy fighter. 
 
 

About this Example

Following the discovery of the aircraft in the Murmansk area, the remains of P3351/DR393 were shipped to Air NZ Engineering Services in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1994. Here, staff set about reclaiming and refurbishing serviceable components. These were returned to Hawker Restorations in the UK, where the basic airframe was restored. Due to the complexity of the manufacturing processes originally employed by Hawkers, the UK seemed the logical place for this activity. Main wing outer panels were restored at Airframe Assemblies on the Isle of Wight. The aircraft was returned to Christchurch in late 1995, where restoration to an airworthy condition continued until first flight on the 12th January 2000.  

Photo Album | Hawker Hurricane Mk IIA

© NZFPM

© NZFPM

 
The aircraft has been restored to configuration as a Mk IIA with eight 0.303 calibre machine guns, and is displayed in the colours of Number 73 Squadron, France, 1940. Registration letters assigned to the aircraft are ZK-TPK which is significant because ’TP’ was the Squadron code, and ’K’ was the identification letter for the aircraft when serving with that Squadron. 
 
From Air New Zealand Notes: 
"The spec for ZK-TPK are as standard as far as the dimensions and weights are concerned for a Mk 11A. The normal take off weight for TPK with full fuel is 6,892 lbs while the max permitted weight is 7,600 lbs. Empty weight is 5,979 lbs. The engine is a Mk35 ANZ, the ANZ designation denoting that it has been modified in accordance with Air New Zealand mod data to fit the aircraft and propeller combination required in this installation.  
 
The engine develops 1,280 shp at 3,000 rpm and +12 lbs of boost pressure at sea level and 1,245 shp at 3,000 rpm at +9 lbs of boost at 11,500 feet.  
 
The top speed of a Mk 11A in good condition was 342 mph at 17,500 feet but we do not know how fast TPK is because it was not tested for max speed in level flight. The aircraft is not fitted with oxygen so all that could be done is a speed run at low altitude and then calculate max speed at rated altitude, not necessarily an exact science. The aircraft was flown to the VNE of 390 mph but that is achieved in a dive. Since this aircraft performed significantly better than original data it may well achieve 342 mph at 11,500." 
 

Operational History

See Hawker Hurricane P3351 by Ian Brodie for details of this aircraft’s operational history. ’Hurricane - The Story of Hawker Hurricane P3351’ by the same author, and published by Reed Publishers, was launched at the 2000 Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow. 
 

New Zealand Connections

Two "Kiwi Connections" with this aircraft are known to have occurred.  
 
During July 1941, Pilot Officer William Lister Miller (from Invercargill) flew this Hurricane twice whilst it was with 55 OTU. ’Dusty’ went on to fly Spitfires in Malta before joining 486 (NZ) Squadron in England, flying both the Hawker Typhoon and Hawker Tempest. ’Dusty’ Miller retired to Wanaka, so was amazingly reunited with one of his own aircraft almost sixty years later. ’Dusty’ passed away on the 21st June 2001.  
 
On the 9th September 1941 Sergeant Ness Polson (also from Invercargill) force-landed P3351 whilst training at 55OTU. Polson returned to Invercargill post-war and passed away in 1970. 
 

Further References

 
Hawker Hurricane P3351 
Pilots Report - Hurricane P3351 
 

Specification and Profile

Length: 31' 5" Height: 13' 1" Wingspan: 40' Empty Weight: 5,640 lb Gross Weight: 8,250 lb Maximum Speed: 340 mph Service Ceiling: 36,000' Range: 470 miles Powerplant: One Rolls Royce Merlin 35 1,200 hp 12 cylinder V12 inline with .42 reduction Armament: Eight .303 calibre machine guns