Was the Hawker Hurricane better than the Spitfire?

The Supermarine Spitfire was better than the Hawker Hurricane in terms of speed and manoeuvrability.

What was special about the Hawker Hurricane?

The Hawker Hurricane was special because it was the first RAF monoplane and the most numerous RAF fighter in the Battle of Britain. Well-armed, the Hurricane was a reliable plane.

Hawker Hurricane

Server Costs Fundraiser 2024

Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! Please donate and contribute to covering our server costs in 2024. With your support, millions of people learn about history entirely for free every month.

$3926 / $18000

❤ Donate

Definition

The Hawker Hurricane was a single-seat fighter plane, Britain's first monoplane, which fought in the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940. Slower but more numerous than the Supermarine Spitfire, the Hurricane was used by the Royal Air Force in multiple theatres of the Second World War (1939-45).

More about: Hawker Hurricane

Timeline

6 Nov 1935
The first Hawker Hurricane prototype is flown.
Feb 1936
The Hawker Hurricane undergoes performance trials.
Jun 1937
The British Air Ministry orders 600 Hawker Hurricanes.
12 Oct 1937
The first Hawker Hurricane production aircraft are flown.
Dec 1937
The first Hawker Hurricanes enter RAF service in No. 111 Squadron based at Northolt.
10 Jul 1940 - 31 Oct 1940
The Battle of Britain (official Air Ministry dates).
Jan 1947
The last Hawker Hurricanes to serve in the RAF are decomissioned.