Hawker Typhoon - British fighter-bomber
Originally intended as the replacement for the Spitfire, the Hawker Typhoon experienced early difficulties with carbon monoxide leakage into the cockpit, vibration induced failure of the tail unit, and enormously increased drag over 400 mph by the thick wings. By late 1942 the Typhoon entered service as a mid level and low level fighter, sporting black and white stripes on the lower wings to distinguish the plane to allied anti-aircraft units from the German Fock-Wulf 190. Soon the thick wings of the Typhoon were turned to advantage and the plane was being outfitted as a fighter bomber. By October of 1943 the plane was fitted with rockets to play it’s most well known ground attack role. Although very effective against trains, trucks, wagons, artillery, half tracks, armored cars and infantry, the Typhoon only rarely destroyed German heavy tanks. Only the engine doors and tread of the heavy tanks were vulnerable to the rockets and 20 mm canon fire of the Hawker Typhoon. 3,330 Hawker Typhoons were built. Photo: IWM FLM 1461 from the Imperial War Museum Collections.
Hawker Typhoon
A rocket being fired from a Hawker Typhoon at a ground target. Source This is photograph No. IWM FLM 1461 from the Imperial War Museum Collections.
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British Aircraft of WWIIBy approximate delivery date of the first model ~ Click on thumbnails |
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| Bombers | Fighters | Carrier based | Flying boats | Transport | ||
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 Bristol Blenheim |
 Short Stirling |
 Avro Landcaster |
 Halifax |
 Mosquito |
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 Gloster Gladiator |
 Hawker Hurricane |
 SpitfireMk IIA |
 Spitfire MK XI |
 Spitfire MK XII |
 Defiant |
 Bristol Beaufighter |
 Fairey Fulmar |
 Hawker Typhoon |
 Meteor Mk III |
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 Fairey Swordfish |
 Fairey Firefly |
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 Short Sunderland |
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 Albemarle |
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* Hawker Typhoon facts |
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| Category | Ffighter- bomber |
| Manufacturer | Hawker Aircraft/Gloster |
| Introduced | 1941 |
| Used in WW II by |
Royal Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Number built | 3,330 |
| Cruising speed | 330 mph |
| Max. speed | 405 mph |
| Altitude | 34,000 feet service ceiling |
| Range | 610 miles |
| * Numbers are approximate. | |
