Time Period: Interwar Period
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Type: Biplane, Fighter Aircraft (Naval)
Manufacturer: Hawker Aircraft
Hawker Nimrod Aircraft Overview
The Hawker Nimrod was a British carrier-based fighter aircraft that was developed by Hawker Aircraft in the 1930s. It was designed to replace the aging biplane fighters then in service with the Royal Navy.
The Nimrod had a biplane design and was powered by a Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine. It was armed with four machine guns and could carry a variety of bombs and rockets. The aircraft first flew in 1932, and a total of 87 were produced.
The Nimrod saw service with the Royal Navy from 1936 until the early years of World War II. It was used primarily for fleet defense and convoy escort duties. However, the Nimrod was found to be underpowered and lacked the performance needed to effectively engage modern enemy fighters.
As a result, the Nimrod was gradually phased out of service, with the last aircraft being retired in 1943. However, the aircraft did serve as a stopgap measure until more advanced fighters such as the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire could be introduced into service. Some Nimrods were also converted for use as target tugs and training aircraft.
Hawker Nimrod Mk I Specifications
- Crew: 1
- Length: 26 ft 6 in (8.08 m)
- Wingspan: 33 ft 7 in (10.24 m)
- Height: 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m)
- Wing area: 300 sq ft (28 m2)
- Airfoil: RAF 28
- Empty weight: 3,110 lb (1,411 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 4,050 lb (1,837 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Kestrel VFP V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 525 hp (391 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller
Hawker Nimrod Mk I Performance
- Maximum speed: 194 mph (312 km/h, 169 kn)
- Range: 305 mi (491 km, 265 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 28,000 ft (8,500 m)
Hawker Nimrod Mk I Armament
- Guns: 2 × forward firing fixed .303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns.
- Bombs: 4 × 20 lb (9 kg) bombs on underwing racks.
