Hawker Hurricane Mk I
	The Hurricane was the brainchild of Sydney Camm, who began its design in 1934. The prototype first took to the air on November the 6th 1935, at Brooklands with P. W. S. "George" Bulman, the company's chief test pilot, at the controls. Its tubular metal construction and fabric covering were similar to those of the earlier Fury fighter biplane, considered old fashioned this construction would result in the Hurricane's ability to later sustain heavy damage in combat. Powered by the famous Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, it became the first RAF monoplane fighter with an enclosed cockpit and retractable undercarriage, its first fighter capable of a level speed in excess of 483 km/h (300 mph), and its first eight-gun fighter. The Hurricane shouldered the lion's share of Britain's defense during the "Battle of Britain", and was largely responsible for the successful outcome of this conflict for the defending forces, equipping more than three-fifths of R.A.F. Fighter Command's squadrons. During the Battle of Britain, which began in earnest on August the 8th 1940, Hurricanes concentrated mainly on the destruction of the German bombers. These were the aircraft that would cause the most damage if allowed to get through. The only Victoria Cross ever awarded to a Fighter Command pilot was won by Ft Lt James Nicolson, a Hurricane pilot of No 249 Squadron. The highest scoring Allied pilot of the battle - a Czech named Sergeant Josef Frantisek, who claimed 17 victories - was also a Hurricane pilot.
Scale 1:72     Wingspan 6.66" (169 mm)    Base size 7.67" (195 mm) square (No. 5) Weight not including base or stand 10.4 ozs (300 grams)