Hawker Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane was a British single-seat fighter aircraft designed in the 1930s and used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during WW2.
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Aircraft by Country > United Kingdom
British aircraft have a long and storied history, with many notable designs and innovations and a close link to the Royal Air Force or RAF. Today, British aircraft manufacturers such as BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce continue to produce cutting-edge aircraft and aviation technology. Some notable recent designs include the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet and the Airbus A350 XWB passenger airliner, which features advanced aerodynamics and fuel-efficient engines.
The United Kingdom has a rich history in aviation, producing several famous and iconic aircraft. Here are five notable examples:
The Hawker Hurricane was a British single-seat fighter aircraft designed in the 1930s and used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during WW2.
The Avro Lancaster is a WW2 heavy bomber aircraft manufactured in the United Kingdom and was used by the RAF during wartime.
The Concorde is a retired French-British supersonic airliner and tailless aircraft design with a narrow fuselage.
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft used before, during, and after the Second World War by the Royal Air Force and Allied countries.
The De Havilland Mosquito is a British twin-engined, multi-role combat aircraft of the Second World War and nicknamed the “Wooden Wonder”.
Follow the events and milestones of the United Kingdom’s aeronautics.
1909
1911
1916
1917
1936
The Short Brothers establish one of the world’s first aircraft manufacturing companies, Short Brothers.
The Royal Aircraft Factory (later Royal Aircraft Establishment) is founded to develop military aircraft.
The Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service merge to form the Royal Air Force (RAF) in April 1918.
The Sopwith Camel, a renowned World War I fighter aircraft, enters service.
The Supermarine Spitfire, an iconic fighter aircraft, makes its maiden flight, symbolizing British resilience during WW2.
During the early days of aviation, British aircraft manufacturers such as Avro and Sopwith were at the forefront of aircraft design and technology.
The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.3 was a British single-engine biplane developed by the British Royal Aircraft Factory before WW1.
The Short S.27 was a series of British training and experimental aircraft designed by Short Brothers and used Royal Flying Corps.
The Short S.38 was a British coastal patrol and trainer built by Shot Brothers. It fley for the first time on 30 August 1912.
The Sopwith Three-Seater was one of the first aircraft designed and built by the Sopwith Aviation Company before World War I.
The Vickers Boxkite was a British experimental monoplane aircraft used in the flying school at Brooklands. They had a 50 hp Gnome engine.
During World War II, British aircraft played a critical role in the war effort, with notable designs such as the Supermarine Spitfire and the Hawker Hurricane helping to defend Britain against the German Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain.
His Majesty’s Airship R100, or R100, was a British rigid airship designed and constructed as part of an ambitious experiment in the 1920s.
The Airspeed AS.5 Courier was a six-seat single-engined aircraft designed and produced by British manufacturer Airspeed Limited.
The Airspeed AS.5 Courier was a six-seat single-engined aircraft designed and produced by British manufacturer Airspeed Limited.
The Airspeed AS.4 Ferry was a three-engined ten-seat biplane airliner designed and built in the United Kingdom by Airspeed Limited.
The De Havilland Tiger Moth was a British biplane designed in the 1930s, operated by the RAF, and built by the de Havilland Aircraft Company.
In the post-war period, British aircraft continued to be at the forefront of aviation technology, with designs such as the de Havilland Comet, the first commercial jet airliner, and the Harrier jump jet, which was capable of vertical takeoff and landing.
The Boulton Paul Balliol is a trainer aircraft and monoplane produced by Boulton Paul Aircraft and operated by the RAF and FAA.
The Concorde is a retired French-British supersonic airliner and tailless aircraft design with a narrow fuselage.
The Airspeed AS.57 Ambassador is a British twin piston-engined airliner designed and produced in the post-war period by Airspeed Ltd.
The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine, multi-role combat aircraft developed by Italy, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
The British Aerospace EAP is a British technology demonstrator aircraft built in the 1980s by British Aerospace (now BAE Systems).