Hurricane history
The Hawker Hurricane may not be quite as famous as its Supermarine Spitfire contemporary, but that cannot take away from the importance of this fighter aircraft. Developed from the successful Hawker Fury biplane, the Hurricane used a monoplane wing designed by Sir Sydney Camm. Work started in 1933 and in September 1934 the project was given proper funding. Changes to the specification were dictated by the
government, which meant a swap to eight fixed machine- guns. Camm was determined to keep the construction of the Hurricane as simple as possible, so these guns were mounted in the wings as this meant there was no need to synchronise them to fire through the propeller. The simplicity of the design also made it easier and quicker to repair when damaged after engaging with enemy aircraft. Power for the Hurricane came from Rolls-Royce’s new
PV-12 engine, later to be called the Merlin and shared with the Spitfire. In August 1935, a kit of parts including an engine were sent to Brooklands to be assembled into the first prototype, serialled K5083. It took its maiden flight on 6 November, 1935 with Flight Lieutenant PWS ‘George’ Bulman at the controls.
Z2389 has been restored in the colours of the American volunteer 71 (Eagle) Squadron with which it served in 1941.
The Hawker company was so confident in its design for the Hurricane, it took the unusual step of gearing up for production before it had received a single order. This proved a wise decision and subsequent tests generated very positive comments from pilots. Its speed made it the first fighter the RAF had that could exceed 300mph and pilots revelled in its manoeuvrable handling.
During a visit in 1936 to RAF Martlesham Heath, where
Brooklands Hurricane Z2389 later spent some of its service, King Edward VIII gave the prototype aircraft its official Hurricane name. By October 1937, the Hurricane went into production and was with the RAF by December that year. During the Battle of Britain that lasted from June to October 1940, the Hurricane is now estimated to have accounted for 80 per cent of all enemy aircraft shot down by the RAF. During this period, the MkIIA Hurricane was introduced, of which Z2389 is an early example. The MkIIA gained more power to make it an even more effective fighter aircraft.
The last Hurricane was built in July 1944 at Langley, Buckinghamshire and the type was finally withdrawn from RAF service in December 1946. In total more than 14,500 Hurricanes were produced (lost production records mean that historians disagree on a definitive total) in 20 different variants.
Hilary Lomax, wife of Roy Lomax and herself a Hurricane Restoration Team Volunteer, receiving a framed picture from the Mayor of Elmbridge at the Topping Out ceremony.
Other lows and highs for Bob are when team leader Roy Lomax sadly passed away in December 2016 and when specialist historic aircraft restoration firm Retrotec gave the work on Z2389 a glowing report. Not only did this prove the high quality of the work carried out by the Volunteers on the Hurricane, but also that it was up to modern safety standards as one of the Museum’s exhibits. An impressive feat when working with an 80-year old aircraft. The report is a testimony to the work of the 28 Volunteers who have contributed to the Hurricane’s restoration over more than 20 years. In that time, some of these Volunteers have passed away, while others have stepped back from the work. At the moment, six Volunteers look after Z2389 and they hope to have it outside and proudly on display for the Battle of Britain’s 80th anniversary in 2020.
JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020 | BROOKLANDS BULLETIN 19
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