Vic FlinthamPost-war aviation historian and writer - www.vicflintham.co.uk

Hawker Typhoon (1941 - 1946)

The Typhoon was designed as a natural successor to the Hurricane and bore a considerable resemblance in plan. It was built to specification F.18/37 which called for interceptors to be fitted with the developing 2,000hp engines. The Tornado employing the Vulture flew in October 1939 but it did not enter service. The Sabre-powered Typhoon, which as a result of experience with the Tornado had the distinctive chin radiator, flew on 24 February 1940 (P5212). The type joined 56 Sqn in September 1941. After numerous teething problems the Typhoon's outstanding low-level performance resulted in the type serving as a close support fighter coming into its own in support of the Normandy invasion. The first variant, the Mark IA, was fitted with the Sabre I and twelve .303 in Browning machine-gun armament - hardly adequate for a fighter bomber and the version was soon withdrawn from service.

Early production Mk IA R7614

Mark IB The second variant was powered by the Sabre II and four 20mm Hispano cannon replaced the ineffectual machine guns. In addition the rugged Typhoon could carry a 2,000lb bomb load or eight 3 in (60lb) rockets. By the end of the war the Typhoon was being withdrawn from front-line service after just four years.

Service Training 56 OTU Communications Acklington SF

Mk IB JR128 HF-L of 183 Sqn

Specification and production

Further reading

Mason, F K Hawker Typhoon, The (Profile 81) Profile Publications, Leatherhead, 1963

Mason, F K Hawker Typhoon and Tempest, The Aston, Bourne End, 1988

Thomas, C and Shores, C Typhoon and Tempest Story, The Arms and Armour Press, London, 1988