Hawker Hurricane (WW 2): Illustrated History Books & Guides

The Merlin: The Engine That Won the Second World War

The Rolls-Royce Merlin is one of the most famous aircraft engines in history. It powered key aircraft of World War II, including the Spitfire and Hurricane, which defended Britain during the Battle of Britain in 1940. It also powered the Lancaster and Halifax bombers on missions over Germany and the Mosquito, known for its precision bombing and reconnaissance.
For the United States, the Merlin was used in the P-51 Mustang, which escorted B-17 and B-29 bombers on daytime raids. The Mustang also saw action in North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Pacific. The engine played a crucial role in securing Allied victory.
The Merlin remains iconic, and its distinctive sound can still be heard over England today, notably during Battle of Britain Memorial Flight displays. It was most recently featured in the RAF's centenary celebrations, with a Lancaster leading Spitfires and Hurricanes in formation.
Retired pilot Gordon Wilson explores the development and wartime use of this engine, sharing accounts from aircrew who relied on it. His book provides insight into the engineering and human stories behind one of the most significant aircraft engines ever built.

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Hawker Hurricane : The Multirole Fighter

This book covers the design, development, production and operations of the Hawker Hurricane before, during and after the Second World War. Without the courage and perseverance of the young men from Britain and the Commonwealth, who risked their lives to beat the Luftwaffe and forestall the enemy invasion of Britain, there would not have been a 'Battle of Britain.'

The Hurricane was a simple rugged metal structure that did not require expensive assembly jigs, absorbed a lot of battle damage, and was also simple to repair. Its wide-track undercarriage allowed operations from rapidly prepared grass fields, and the ultimate cannon armament and rocket projectiles could destroy both soft skin and armoured targets.

Following the Battles of France and Britain, Spitfires took over much of the air-to-air interception, while Hurricanes roamed around occupied Europe destroying enemy ground targets. They operated off merchant ships on the Russian convoys and were vital in the defence of Malta.

Hurricanes worked with the Soviet Air Force within the Arctic Circle, and supported the Eighth Army against the forces of Rommel in the deserts of North Africa, as well as serving with distinction in Asia.

• Previously unpublished accounts from the designers, builders and aircrew of the beloved Hawker Hurricane
• Many contemporary and previously unpublished photographs
• Comprehensive details on the conservation of surviving aircraft

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Ten Squadrons of Hurricanes

For many years the importance and contribution of the Hawker Hurricane was eclipsed by the Spitfire but statistically the Hurricane was superior in the majority of cases. Thanks to Tommy Sopwith's initiative and gamble the Hurricane was ready at the outbreak of the Second World War and in service throughout.

As this superbly researched book reveals by examining the roles, actions and personalities of ten Hurricane squadrons, this iconic aircraft was not only exceptionally robust but astonishingly versatile. We track its performance from the Battle of France and Britain through the Middle East, Italy and on to Burma. It excelled as day and night interceptor, intruder and importantly as a rocket firing tank buster.

The Hurricane inspired great loyalty among its pilots and their colourful personalities and thrilling experiences make this splendid book an informative and entertaining read.

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Hawker Hurricane - The RAF's Battle of Britain Stalwart (Legends of Warfare)

The Hawker Hurricane has rightly earned its place in military aviation annals. Although only preceding the Spitfire by four months in its prototypic launch, the Hawker machine was available in measurably greater numbers by the Battle of Britain, a very critical stage of WWII for Britain and its Empire. Its rugged qualities saw use in the Mediterranean and Far East Theaters, and on the Russia Front.

It adapted equally well to naval operations as a CAM-ship "protector" for Allied convoys and then as the first truly modern British fighter design to operate off the Fleet Air Arm's aircraft carriers.
The solid wing structure lent itself naturally to the carriage of bombs and heavier-scale weaponry such as the 40 mm cannon that dealt out a fair measure of punishment. The few airworthy examples are a poignant reminder of Britain's WWII aviation prowess.

Part of the Legends of Warfare series.

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Hawker Hurricane and Sea Hurricane (Flight Craft)

Covers the history of the Hawker Hurricane and Sea Hurricane, from the prototype and the initial production variants' entry in to RAF service, through its development and use, first as a day fighter, and then night fighter, intruder, fighter-bomber, catapult-launched and then carrier-based fighter, and eventually dedicated ground attack machine.
The Hurricane served in every wartime theatre, from Norway and France, the Battle of Britain, the defence of Malta, to the campaigns in the Western Desert and the Mediterranean, on the Russian Front and in the Far East where it saw service until the end of hostilities.

Split into three primary sections, this volume offers a concise yet informative history of the Hurricane's development, operational career and design improvements, including many contemporary photographs with detailed captions; a 16-page colour illustration section featuring 48 separate aircraft (in profiles and 2-views); and finally a section prepared by that well-known and established doyen of model makers, Tony O'Toole, listing and illustrating the plastic model kits produced of the Hurricane in all scales.

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Hurricane - Victor of the Battle of Britain

In the summer of 1940 the fate of Europe hung in the balance. Victory in the forthcoming air battle would mean national survival; defeat would establish German tyranny.
The Luftwaffe greatly outnumbered the RAF, but during the Battle of Britain it was the RAF that emerged triumphant, thanks to two key fighter planes, the Spitfire and the Hurricane. The Hurricane made up over half of Fighter Command's front-line strength, and its revolutionary design transformed the RAF's capabilities.

Leo McKinstry tells the story of the remarkable plane from its designers to the first-hand testimonies of those brave pilots who flew it; he takes in the full military and political background but always keeps the human stories to the fore - to restore the Hawker Hurricane to its rightful place in history.

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Hurricane : Hawker's Fighter Legend

2017 marks the 80th anniversary of the remarkable Hawker Hurricane formally entering service. The RAF's first monoplane fighter, it dragged the Air Force into a position where it could defend Britain in her 'hour of need'.
The true workhorse of the RAF, the Hurricane came into its own in the hot summer months of 1940 valiantly defending the skies above Britain.

Outnumbering Spitfires three to one, the Hurricane also downed far more enemy aircraft. Without the obvious elegance of the Me 109 or the Spitfire, the Hurricane was nonetheless beloved by its pilots for its ability to simultaneously take a battering and inflict serious damage from its remarkably stable gun platform.

This stunning new book reveals the Hurricane in all its glory - from fascinating first-hand accounts from the men who flew her to the truly breathtaking images from John Dibbs of the Hurricanes still in flight today.
This lavish, fully illustrated edition is a must-have for all fans of aviation history.

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Hurricane Manual 1940

Though less iconic than the nimble Spitfire, the Hawker Hurricane was a vital stalwart in the British war effort. The Hurricane was a more stable gun platform than the Spitfire, more rugged, and was used in more challenging theatres of war.

An amazing array of leaflets, books and manuals were issued by the Air Ministry during the Second World War to aid pilots flying the Hawker Hurricane fighter. Here, for the first time, they are collated into a single book. An introduction is supplied by expert aviation historian Dilip Sarkar. Sections include Pilots' Notes, aircraft recognition and combat reports.

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Hurricane R4118 Revisited : The Extraordinary Story of the Discovery and Restoration to Flight

Twelve years since the amazing account of Peter Vacher's discovery in India was originally published, Grub Street is thrilled to bring readers the updated story of Hurricane R4118. Since the restoration of this magnificent aircraft to flight in 2004, Peter Vacher continued to research its history.

In "Hurricane R4118 Revisited", more stories of R4118's origins are told, including the extraordinary tale of how this aircraft shot down a friendly Whitley bomber before it was assigned to a RAF squadron. Focus is also given to the role of 605 Squadron's ground crew and the aircraft during the Battle of Britain.

Continuing into the present day, Vacher highlights the challenges of maintaining and flying a historic warbird, whilst Keith Dennison, a warbird pilot, provides expert commentary on exactly what it is like to fly a Hurricane.
The book concludes with the sale of R4118 to an enthusiastic Englishman and the decision taken to keep the aircraft at the Shuttleworth Collection.

With brand new photography and sources, including wartime letters from Bunny Currant, this book is essential reading for all Hurricane enthusiasts.

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Hurricane vs Bf 110 - 1940 (Osprey)

The Hurricane was the RAF's first monoplane fighter and saw significant combat during the fight over France and the Battle of Britain. One of its principal opponents in 1940 was the Bf 110 twin-engined, two-seat heavy fighter. Following the invasion of France, these fighters clashed regularly as the RAF's Hurricanes attacked German bomber formations defended by Bf 110. Although the Hurricane had the upper hand when it came to manoeuverability, the Bf 110 outclassed it in terms of fire power, with its mix of machine guns and cannon.
This is the story of the dramatic battles in the skies over France and the Channel as Britain desperately tried to hold back the German onslaught from her shores.

Contents: Introduction - Chronology - Design and development - The Strategic Situation - Technical Specifications - The Combatants - Combat - Statistics and Analysis - Conclusion - Further Reading.

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The Hurricane Story

The Hawker Hurricane won lasting fame in the service of the RAF during the Battle of Britain. Over 11,700 examples were eventually built of this versatile and deadly combat aircraft, fulfilling an incredible number of contrasting roles. Its design, development and production are described in detail, as are the Hurricane's widely varied operational roles during the Second World War, both at home and overseas. Full details are given of production figures, production variants, and operational service with all RAF and RN squadrons and units.

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