Hawker Hurricane (oz8097)

About this Plan

Hawker Hurricane. Radio control scale model WWII fighter. Merco 61 shown. Original prototype used Veco 45.

Quote: "Unquestionably one of the most famous fighters in the history of aviation, the Hawker Hurricane was evolved in the mid-30's to replace the biplanes which were readily becoming obsolete. From the time the first Hurricane prototype took the air in 1935 until Hawker's last delivery in September of 1944 more than 14,000 of these fighters saw duty, primarily during World War II, as fighters, dive bombers, night fighters, catapult and carrier-based warplanes.

By the out-break of WW II, almost five hundred Hurricanes were in service with the RAF - by the onset of the Battle of Britain, thirty squadrons of the 325 mph ship were in service. Although somewhat inferior, performance-wise, to the Lutwaffe's dread Me-109, the Hurricane's ability to withstand amazing amounts of punishment in combat, coupled with its excellent maneuverability, enabled its wartime record to be more than impressive.

Insofar as markings and armament go, the author would like to refer you to 'Hawker Hurricane,' published by Aero Publishers, Fallbrook, California, due to the fact that this book illustrates the infinite variety of combinations used on the more than 14,000 Hurricanes produced by Great Britain during WWII.

As to general specifications, the Hurricane had a maximum attained speed of 325 mph at an excess of 17,000 feet altitude. Gross weight was in excess of 7100 lbs. Service altitude ceiling was 36,000 feet with a climb of approximately 2200 feet per minute. Engine on the Hawker Hurricane Mark I was a V-design twelve-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 1025 hp power-plant developed and manufactured by Rolls-Royce-Merlin. The variety of armaments used included eight Borwning 303's in the wing; 4-20 mm cannons; 2.40 mm cannons, bombs, etc.

Insofar as the model presented here is concerned, it is almost fully scale - its wide gear, thick wing, and excellent aerodynamic qualities giving it a flying ability that is truly out-standing. As a matter of fact, the prototype shown on the cover of this issue, and in the photographs accom-panying this article, can truly hold its own in the Class III pattern.

Construction Details. Wing. Wing construction is straightforward and conventional, with the exception that it is built in three sections instead of two. First, build-up the straight flat centre section. Attach your gussets and braces to this section, then set it up on a wing jig at the proper dihedral. Jack up the outer trailing edge to give it approximately 3/8 in washout at the tips - this will make for an extremely stable aircraft that has no tendency toward tip stalling. The entire wing is sheeted with 3/32 sheet. The nylon horns on the ailerons are from the Top Flute parts package #10.

Fuselage. The fuselage construction is slightly unusual in the fact that the bottom is built first. Lay out the 3/8 square stingers and the 3/8 square spacers. These spacers will be removed when the fuselage is com-plete. Lay in the 3/8 x -1/2 in motor mounts to fit your motor (spacing is shown for a Veco .45). Fill in around the motor mounts with 3/8 balsa sheet, leaving a space for your tank to fit between the bearers in the rear..."

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, text and pics, thanks to hlsat, JHatton.

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