Following Vickers decision to rationalise its aviation interests and close the Supermarine design office in 1936, the RAF’s high performance fighter needs were served purely by the Hawker Hurricane. The Mk XIV was developed as a matter of urgency following the cancellation of the Typhoon programme in 1942 due to insuperable aerodynamic problems and the simultaneous failure of the Napier Sabre to mature into a viable powerplant.
Hawker had no choice but to look to the proven Hurricane airframe and the Rolls-Royce Griffon. The Centaurus was considered but marriage of the radial engine to the slender Hurricane fuselage was rejected as too complicated. Along with the engine change, aerodynamic and practical improvements were made to the airframe. Cutting down the rear fuselage proved relatively simple due to its steel tube and fabric construction, stability was retained by use of a large fin fillet. The tailwheel was arranged to retract into the ventral fin and the large radio mast was replaced with a simple whip aerial, further reducing drag.
Armament was unchanged from the Merlin Hurricane though the new aircraft benefited from a cleaner gun barrel fairing for its four 20 mm Hispanos.
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Liking that alot!
[…] you enjoyed this, you may like our other ULTIMATE WHAT-IF AIRCRAFT, like this one:Â http://hushkit.wordpress.com/2012/06/12/the-ultimate-what-if-fighter-the-griffon-powered-hawker-hurr… Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. Published: July 6, 2012 Filed […]
Might they have used the ‘TORNADO’s wing
[…] Originally Posted by Juha Now if you have read a bit further you know that the max speed of Spit Mk IV was 433mph. And as we know the predicted speed of Typhoon was 450+mph but when the protos flew it was found out that they were almost 50mph slower, so Camm's prediction says nothing on the realistic speed of Griffon Hurri. Juha The Spit IV @ 433mph (at 23500ft) was with a different Griffon variant with a higher altitude rated output. With a single stage , two speed Griffon maximum speed was 409 mph at 18600ft. Anyways, here's an interesting article and drawing of a hypothetical Griffon Hurricane: THE ULTIMATE WHAT-IF FIGHTER: THE GRIFFON-POWERED HAWKER HURRICANE Mk XIV | Hush-Kit […]
Weirdly enough that image looks quite like some of the proposed late war prop fighters though I guess images of those may have been an influence on this drawing.
It looks just like a Mustang to me looks awesome
[…] take. Too bad really, that Mark IX was found to be faster than a ‘regular’ Hawker Hurricane. It should have been useful somewhere, in theory. Of all the fighters on this list, the elegant […]
How about adding performance for the Mk. XIV Hurri?
And a look at the Griffon-powered Tempest Mk. III? It would have happened, had the Griffon not been earmarked for Spit Mks XII & XIV.
All fine apart from that horrible wing which was thicker than a concrete curb!