Time Period: WW1 Period
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Type: Biplane, Fighter Aircraft
Manufacturer: Hawker Aircraft
Hawker Fury Aircraft Overview
The Hawker Fury was a British biplane fighter aircraft designed and manufactured by Hawker Aircraft Limited in the late 1920s. It was one of the most advanced and successful biplane fighters of its time, renowned for its exceptional performance and agility.
Introduced in 1931, the Fury was powered by a powerful Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine, which gave it impressive speed and climbing abilities. Its sleek design, coupled with a strong airframe and efficient aerodynamics, made it a formidable opponent in aerial combat.
The Fury featured a compact and streamlined fuselage, with staggered unequal-span wings and a biplane configuration. It was armed with a combination of machine guns and later cannons, providing effective firepower against enemy aircraft.
In addition to its role as a fighter, the Fury also served as a high-speed interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft. It saw action with the Royal Air Force (RAF) and other air forces, including those of Yugoslavia, Portugal, and South Africa.
The Hawker Fury’s combat debut came during the interwar period, where it participated in various conflicts and air shows, showcasing its capabilities to the world. It achieved notable success in air races and competitions, further cementing its reputation as a top-performing fighter aircraft.
Although eventually surpassed by more modern monoplane designs, the Hawker Fury left a lasting legacy in aviation history. Its advanced technology, superb handling characteristics, and combat prowess set new standards for biplane fighters and contributed to the evolution of military aviation. Today, several examples of the Hawker Fury remain preserved in museums and private collections, serving as reminders of its enduring significance in the annals of aviation.
Hawker Fury Mk II Specifications
- Crew: 1
- Length: 26 ft 9 in (8.15 m)
- Wingspan: 30 ft 0 in (9.14 m)
- Height: 10 ft 2 in (3.10 m)
- Wing area: 252 sq ft (23.4 m2)
- Empty weight: 2,734 lb (1,240 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 3,609 lb (1,637 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Kestrel IV liquid-cooled V12 engine, 640 hp (480 kW)
Hawker Fury Mk II Performance
- Maximum speed: 223 mph (359 km/h, 194 kn) at 16,500 ft (5,000 m)
- Range: 270 mi (430 km, 230 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 29,500 ft (9,000 m)
- Time to altitude: 3 min 50 s to 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
Hawker Fury Mk II Armament
- Guns: 2 × 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers Mk IV machine guns with 600 rpg.