The Hawker Hurricane was one of the most famous British fighters of WW II. The prototype was first flown in November 1935 and the first production aircraft made its initial flight in October 1937. Within a matter of weeks, Hurricanes were being delivered to their operational squadrons. By the time the war broke out in September 1939, the Royal Air Force (RAF) had taken delivery of about 500 Hurricanes as production continued.

The Hurricane is probably best known for its performance during the Battle of Britain. When the battle commenced in July 1940, the RAF Fighter Command had but 527 Hurricanes and 321 Spitfires to counter the enemy's 2,700 aircraft. Yet, the RAF was able to maintain air superiority in the skies of Great Britain.

Hurricanes were built not only in Great Britain but also in Yugoslavia, before the German invasion, and in Canada during the 1940-1942 period. They were flown by pilots of many nations during the war.

This Hawker Hurricane MKIIa is a Canadian built airframe painted to represent an aircraft of 71 Squadron, Royal Air Force, one of the three Eagle Squadrons of WW II. Americans in the RAF flew Hurricane MKIIa's with this unit from May to August 1941.

Specification for Hawker Hurricane I