Hawker Typhoon

In expectation that the Air Ministry would require an aircraft to replace the Hawker Hurricane in the future, Sydney Camm had began design work on a new aircraft in 1937. So when Specification F.18/37 was issued requiring a fighter powered by the Rolls-Royce Vulture or Napier Sabre engine and armament consisting of twelve guns, Hawker had most of the basic design ready and took the decision to produce two fighters. The Type N powered by the Napier Sabre and the Type R powered by the Rolls-Royce Vulture.

The Rolls-Royce Vulture powered Type R would go on to become the Tornado, but on the 15th October 1941 Rolls-Royce stopped work on their Vulture engine and the aircraft would not go into production. This left the Napier Sabre powered Type N, and it was this aircraft that would be developed into the Typhoon.

With Philip Lucas at the controls, the first Typhoon prototype made its maiden flight on the 24th February 1940, featuring a distinctive chin radiator, early test flights were conducted with the aircraft unarmed. Development continued, but on the 9th May 1940 during a flight test, the fuselage of the prototype failed, despite this the pilot Philip Lucas managed to land and as a result would be awarded the George Medal. As the German advance into Western Europe was almost complete, development of the Typhoon would slow down as production of fighter aircraft was focused on the Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire in expectation of the upcoming Battle of Britain (10th July 1940 - 31st October 1940).

As 1941 began, the aircraft, now designated the Typhoon Mk IA, was ordered into production with the first example flying on the 27th May 1941. Powered by the 2,100-hp Napier Sabre I engine, its top speed was 405 mph with armament of twelve 0.303-in machine-guns, with the first example delivered to No. 56 Squadron based at RAF Duxford on the 11th September 1941 for trials. A couple of fatal flaws were found on the Typhoon, and these issues threatened the aircraft's future and nearly led to its withdrawal. One of these saw carbon monoxide leak into the cockpit as a result of poor sealing allowing engines fumes to overwhelm the pilot. This problem, despite improving the sealing, was never solved necessitating the pilot to use oxygen before starting the engine and until the engine had been shut down. The other pressing issue for the Typhoon was that the rear fuselage joint fatigued easily and lead to the tail section coming apart in mid-air which would require Hawker to provide a new, stronger, joint.

The Typhoon Mk IB prototype flew on the 3rd May 1941, and production aircraft were powered by the 2,180-hp Napier Sabre IIA engine, giving the Typhoon Mk IB a top speed of 412 mph, range of 510 miles and a service ceiling of 35,200 ft. Armament was four 20mm cannons and either 2,000lb bombs or rocket projectiles. The Typhoon Mk IB was to be the preferred variant.

It was as a low-level interceptor and ground attack aircraft that the Typhoon would be used as and development of the type was centred on this. The decision to use the aircraft in this role being influenced by its poor climb rate, which was worse than the Hurricane which it was meant to replace, and performance at high altitude. One further issue occurred with the Typhoon and that was its similarity at certain angles to the Fw 190 leading to an order on the 19th December 1942 for the aircraft to be painted underneath the wings with black and white stripes, after the addition of black stripes only proved unsatisfactory, in an effort to curb friendly fire incidents. It would not be until the 5th February 1944 that these stripes were removed from the aircraft.

As the Typhoon started to overcome its problems, the aircraft started to show its potential as a low-level interceptor/ground attack aircraft and during late 1942 into 1943 attacked various targets in France and the Low Countries and was also used as a night intruder. When rocket projectiles were added to the type during late 1943 it became a very potent weapon, and operating from airfields along the South Coast they attacked a variety of targets in the build up to Operation Overlord, more commonly known as D-Day. These included shipping, bridges, communications, railways and anything else that would hamper the German response to the Normandy invasion.

With the liberation of Europe in its early stages the Typhoon armed with rockets and as part of the Second Tactical Air Force was used for ground attacks. This lead to the development of the 'Cab Rank' which would see a constant patrol of aircraft at 10,000 ft and which would be called upon when required. The aircraft would prove invaluable in the role when dug in German tanks held up the Allied advance, and as soon as was possible the aircraft was operating in France enabling a faster response.

A Typhoon Mk II version was also being worked on, but this aircraft was very different from the Typhoon Mk IB that it would be renamed and ended up as the Hawker Tempest. Although the Typhoon operated mainly as a low-level interceptor/ground attack aircraft a night fighter version was considered. Fitted with Airborne Interception radar Mk VI, a sole Typhoon NF Mk IB appeared. Some examples were also converted into fighter reconnaissance versions of which two configurations existed, one with two vertical cameras added and the other had a camera replacing the inner cannon on the port side. All were designated Typhoon FR Mk IB.

In total 3,317 aircraft were produced.