Tony’s Scrapbook: Hawker Fury

The above image from my father’s scrapbook is a historical photograph of the Hawker Fury, described as the “world’s fastest military plane” in May 1933. The caption indicates that this high-speed aircraft was undergoing flying trials in London and had already demonstrated speeds of 250 miles per hour with complete military equipment. The image showcases the biplane design typical of that era.

The Hawker Fury was a British biplane fighter aircraft developed and manufactured by Hawker Aircraft in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Here are some key points about the Hawker Fury:

1. Design and Development: Sydney Camm designed the Hawker Fury, which first flew in 1929 and developed from the earlier Hawker F.20/27 prototype. The Fury was one of the first RAF fighters capable of exceeding 200 mph in level flight.
2. Specifications:
   • Engine: Typically powered by a Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine.
   • Armament: The Fury, armed with two synchronized Vickers machine guns mounted in the fuselage, could inflict incredible damage.
   • Performance: The aircraft’s maximum speed was 223 mph (358 km/h), and its service ceiling was 29,000 feet (8,840 meters).
3. Service History: The Fury entered the Royal Air Force (RAF) service in 1931. It was praised for its agility and speed, making it a favorite among pilots. The Fury served as the RAF’s front-line fighter until being gradually replaced by more advanced monoplane fighters like the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire.
4. Variants: Several variants of the Fury developed over time, including the Fury Mk I and the more powerful Fury Mk II. Hawker Aircraft Limited, a British aircraft manufacturing company, exported other versions for various foreign air forces.
5. Legacy: Although the Fury became obsolete with newer aircraft, it played a significant role in interwar and represented a substantial advancement in fighter design. Its development paved the way for more advanced aircraft crucial in World War II.
6. Historical Significance: The Fury was notable for its sleek design and performance, setting a standard for future fighters. It also highlighted the transition period in aviation from biplanes to monoplanes.

The Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine was a widely used and influential aircraft engine during the interwar period. Here are some critical details about the Rolls-Royce Kestrel.

Development and Introduction:

• Rolls-Royce Limited developed the Kestrel engine in the early 1920s, and the first version, the Kestrel I, was introduced in 1927.
• It was one of the first British liquid-cooled, supercharged V12 engines, marking a significant technological advancement in aircraft power systems.

Technical Specifications:

• Configuration: V12, liquid-cooled
• Displacement: Approximately 21 liters (1,296 cubic inches)
• Power Output: The early versions produced around 450 horsepower (336 kW), with later versions producing up to 720 horsepower (537 kW).
• Supercharger: The Kestrel featured a supercharger to improve high-altitude performance, a notable innovation.

Variants:

• The Kestrel engine saw multiple variants, including the Kestrel II, Kestrel V, and Kestrel XVI, each offering improved power output, reliability, and altitude performance.
• Specific variants often required specialized adaptation for different aircraft, including fighters, bombers, and reconnaissance planes.

Applications:

• The Kestrel engine made its way into a wide variety of aircraft, including:
• Hawker Fury: As mentioned, the Fury was one of the primary users of the Kestrel engine.
• Hawker Hart: A light bomber that the RAF widely used.
• Avro Anson: A multi-role aircraft for training, surveillance, and transport.
• Supermarine S.6B: The racing seaplane that won the Schneider Trophy and set a new airspeed record in 1931.

Impact and Legacy:

• The Kestrel engine was significant for its reliability and performance, setting a high standard for subsequent Rolls-Royce engines.
• Its development provided the foundation for the later and more powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, which powered many of the most famous aircraft of World War II, such as the Supermarine Spitfire and the Hawker Hurricane.

Technological Innovations:

• The Kestrel incorporated several advanced features for its time, including a supercharger and efficient liquid cooling, which helped improve performance at higher altitudes.
• It also utilized advanced materials and manufacturing techniques that contributed to its durability and performance.

The Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine was a crucial component in many aircraft of the 1930s, playing a significant role in military and civilian aviation advancements. Its success laid the groundwork for developing more powerful and efficient engines that would dominate the skies during World War II.

While not as widely known as some successors, like the Hawker Hurricane, the Hawker Fury has its share of notable stories and moments in aviation history. Here are a few:

First RAF Fighter to Exceed 200 mph:

• The Hawker Fury was the first RAF fighter to exceed 200 mph in level flight. This milestone marked a significant advancement in fighter aircraft performance and set a new standard for speed and agility in military aviation during the early 1930s.

Service in the Royal Air Force:

• The Hawker Fury entered service with the RAF in 1931. It quickly became a favorite among pilots for its excellent handling and performance. It was used primarily in air defense when air combat tactics and technologies rapidly evolved.

Spanish Civil War:

• Although not used in combat by the British, a few Furies were acquired by the Spanish Republican forces during the Spanish Civil War. These aircraft saw limited action during the conflict and highlighted the international interest in advanced British fighter designs.

Record-Breaking Flights:

• Pilots of the Hawker Fury often participated in air races and record-breaking attempts, showcasing the aircraft’s speed and agility. These events were popular in the interwar period and helped demonstrate the capabilities of contemporary military planes to the public.

Transition to Monoplane Fighters:

• The Hawker Fury represents a crucial transitional period in military aviation. As one of the last biplane fighters in RAF service, it eventually dropped out of service with the introduction of monoplane fighters such as the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire. The experiences and lessons learned from operating the Fury contributed to developing these more advanced aircraft.

Pilot Anecdotes:

• Many RAF pilots of the era fondly recalled flying the Fury, praising its responsiveness and maneuverability. The aircraft was known for being “a pilot’s aeroplane,” providing an enjoyable and thrilling flying experience compared to some of its contemporaries.

Export Success:

• Several countries received the exportation of the Hawker Fury, including Yugoslavia, South Africa, and Persia (modern-day Iran). These export versions often had local modifications and saw various service levels in their air forces.

While the Hawker Fury may not have the same legendary status as some of the World War II fighters that followed, its impact on the development of military aviation and its place in the history of the RAF is significant. The aircraft’s speed, agility, and advanced design for its time make it a noteworthy chapter in the story of early 20th-century aviation.

While many pilots who have flown the Hawker Fury each have an interesting background, they are less widely documented than those who flew in more famous aircraft. Here are a few notable pilots and figures associated with the Hawker Fury:

Sqn Ldr Marmaduke “Pat” Pattle:

• Marmaduke Thomas St. John “Pat” Pattle was one of the RAF’s top-scoring World War II fighter aces. Before achieving fame in World War II, Pattle flew the Hawker Fury during his early service in the RAF. His experiences with the Fury contributed to his development as a skilled fighter pilot.

Flt Lt Frank Whittle:

• Frank Whittle, who later became famous for inventing the turbojet engine, also flew the Hawker Fury during his early RAF career. Whittle’s time flying the Fury gave him valuable experience in high-performance aircraft, influencing his later jet propulsion work.

Sir Sydney Camm:

• Although not a pilot himself, Sir Sydney Camm, the chief designer at Hawker Aircraft, played a significant role in the development of the Fury. His innovative work on the Fury set the stage for his later designs, including the Hawker Hurricane, which became one of the most important fighters of World War II.

Pilots of No. 43 Squadron RAF:

• No. 43 Squadron, known as the “Fighting Cocks,” was one of the RAF squadrons equipped with the Hawker Fury. Many of the squadron’s pilots flew the Fury during the early 1930s, and the aircraft became closely associated with their unit. The squadron’s history includes numerous pilots who distinguished themselves in later conflicts.

Pilots of the Yugoslav Royal Air Force:

• The Royal Yugoslav Air Force operated the Hawker Fury, and several Yugoslav pilots flew the aircraft during the 1930s. These pilots participated in various training and operational missions, and some saw combat during the Axis invasion of Yugoslavia in 1941.

While detailed records of individual pilots who flew the Fury may be sparse, these names and units provide a glimpse into the diverse group of aviators who experienced the aircraft firsthand. The Fury’s legacy as a high-performance fighter of its era is partly due to the pilots’ skill and dedication.

The Hawker Fury is a remarkable example of aviation innovation during the interwar period. As the first RAF fighter to surpass 200 mph in level flight, it set new standards for speed and agility, embodying its time’s cutting-edge design and engineering. The Fury’s sleek biplane structure and the powerful Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine made it a favorite among pilots and a formidable presence in the skies. 

Although eventually eclipsed by more advanced monoplane fighters like the Hawker Hurricane and the Supermarine Spitfire, Fury’s influence on fighter development and its role in transitioning military aviation cannot be overstated. Its legacy helped shape the advanced aircraft that followed, and it remains a celebrated chapter in the history of British aviation.

Well, my friend, I hope you enjoyed this post about the Hawker Fury, and I’ll see you in the next one!