Product Description

The Hurricane was the RAF's first monoplane fighter, and saw widespread service with Allied forces. This book describes its many feats throughout 1945. Used as a fighter-bomber on the Channel coast, the Hurricane was flown by numerous squadrons in Fighter Command, including the American Eagles and Polish units. Some of the highest-scoring aces to fly the Hurricane saw action in this theatre. The Fleet Air Arm also used the Sea Hurricane as its principle fighter in the Mediterranean, creating a handful of aces. In the Far East, Hurricane units failed in their attempt to defend Singapore and Malaya from the Japanese but continued to take the fight to the enemy from bases in India and Ceylon. The Hurricane was still in the frontline in this theatre in 1945.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #162544 in Books
• Published on: 2003-11-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

About the Author
Andrew Thomas is one of Britain's most pre-eminent RAF researchers, having published numerous squadron histories. He is presently a serving officer in the RAF. Arguably the finest profile artist in the business, John Weal's love of German aircraft makes his work a treat for students of the subject. He has written several Aircraft of the Aces volumes, and two books on the JU 87 in the companion series, Combat Aircraft.

Customer Reviews

The 2nd of the Few
The Hurricane was probably the savior of the British during the Battle of Britain, but it showed during those days it's shortcommings as a fighter, and despite the need for fighters, it becomed second option, with the siptfire being chosen as the only main fighter for the RAF (14000+ Hurricanes versus 23000 Spitfires).

The Hurricane nevertheless would become a very good secondary fighter and fighter bomber main machine from 1941 onwards, and even a no match for german fighters, it woas more than enough to the remaining axis fighters, and aces were made using the Hurricane, on all theatres of operations, being most noticeable on the Mediterranean and Russia, were these mix construction fighter-bombers proved to be more than a match to axis, and in russian hands they proved how well they could be a dogfighter and a bomber, a tank buster and straffer.

Hurricanes did however show their design shortcommings after 1942, and they were eventually passed on to secundary tasks, being used on the CAM (Carrier Armed Merchants)being launched via catapults and dispended. They also become famous on the defense of Malta, were they were the only thing the British could send to the sieged island.

Not very known, the aces of the hurricanes, would be more remembered after they changed to more modern designs, but most of them started their ace life flying these machines.