Hawker Hurricane

First flown in 1935, the Hurricane served throughout World War IIthe Second World War in virtually every theatre of operations. The RCAF received its first Hurricanes in February 1939. The first RCAF squadron to fire its guns in anger, No. 1 Squadron (which later became 401 Squadron),n, flew Hurricanes in the Battle of Britain. Two other RCAF squadrons, No. 402 and 417 Squadronsqns, flew the type in overseas operations, while a further ten squadrons operated the aircraft here in Canada. The Canadian Car and Foundry Company began Canadian production in January 1940 at Fort William (now part of Thunder Bay, Ontario). A total of 1,451 Hurricanes were built in this country. While not so graceful or well known as its fighting mate, the Spitfire, the Hurricane proved to be rugged in service and highly adaptable being used in a wide variety of roles and carrying diverse types of weapons and armament.

Source: Canadian Combat and Support Aircraft: A Military Compendium by T.F.J. Leversedge © 2007. Translated and reproduced with permission of the author.

Source: Canadian Combat and Support Aircraft: A Military Compendium by T.F.J. Leversedge © 2007. Translated and reproduced with permission of the author.