List of Hawker Hurricane operators
This is a list of the Hawker Hurricane operators.
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Operators[]
Argentina[]
- Argentine Air Force
Only one example of Hurricane Mk.IV, serial KW908, arrived in 1947 as a present from the British Government to the Argentines. The aeroplane was packed in 27 boxes and arrived to Buenos Aires on August '47 aboard the ship SS Durango. On 7 July of that year the aircraft was on public display in an exhibition mounted in one of the main squares of Buenos Aires, with other airplanes like a Lancaster and Fiat G55. In autumn of that year was sent to a flight school of the Argentinian Air Force located in Córdoba, where was painted the national insignia and repainted their camouflage colours; it is known that remained there until the early '60s.
Australia[]
- Royal Australian Air Force
The following units served with the Desert Air Force in the Mediterranean Theatre:
- No. 3 Squadron RAAF
- No. 450 Squadron RAAF (combined operations with No. 260 Squadron RAF)[1]
- No. 451 Squadron RAAF
Only one Hurricane (V7476) saw service in Australia.[2] It had been shipped, unassembled to in the Dutch East Indies during early 1942. It was among elements of 226 Grp evacuated to Australia before the Allied defeat in Java. After assembly by RAAF ground staff, this Hurricane served with the following units:
- No. 2 Operational Training Unit RAAF
- Central Flying School RAAF
The Hurricane was retired in 1946 and is believed to have been scrapped.
Belgium[]
Belgium bought 20 Hurricane Mk.I's (early models with fabric covered wings and fixed 2-blade propeller) in 1939 and a licence to build 80 more, of which only two were completed, with most of the aircraft being lost during the German invasion when they were bombed at the military airfield at near Diest on 10 May 1940. After the war, 6 ex-RAF Hurricane Mk.II's (a mix of Mk.IIB and C's) were transferred to the Belgians in 1946, these were used as fast communications aircraft up to 1948.
- Belgian Air Force
Canada[]
Several Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons were equipped with Hurricanes, including 1 Squadron RCAF, which flew in the Battle of Britain.
- Royal Canadian Air Force
- Article XV squadrons serving under direct command and control of the RAF.
- No. 1 Squadron RCAF re-numbered to No. 401 Squadron RCAF
- No. 2 Squadron RCAF re-numbered to No. 402 Squadron RCAF
- No. 417 Squadron RCAF
- No. 421 Squadron RCAF
- No. 438 Squadron RCAF
- No. 439 Squadron RCAF
- No. 440 Squadron RCAF
- Operational Squadrons of the Home War Establishment (HWE) (Based in Canada)
- Eastern Air Command
- No. 1 Squadron RCAF
- No. 125 Squadron RCAF
- No. 127 Squadron RCAF
- Western Air Command
Czechoslovakia[]
- No. 310 Czech Fighter Squadron
- No. 312 Czech Fighter Squadron
Egypt[]
- Royal Egyptian Air Force
Finland[]
Finland bought 12 Mk I Hurricanes at the end of the Winter War, but lost two during the transit flight. The aircraft did not have much success (only 5½ kills). When hostilities began again on 25 June 1941, their use was quite limited, partially because they were worn out due to the scarcity of replacement parts available during the Interim Peace (13 March 1940 – 25 June 1941) and subsequent combat flying. One Hurricane Mk IIB was captured from the Soviets during the war and flown by the Finnish Air Force.
- Finnish Air Force
- No. 10 Squadron, Finnish Air Force
- No. 22 Squadron, Finnish Air Force
- No. 26 Squadron, Finnish Air Force
- No. 28 Squadron, Finnish Air Force
- No. 30 Squadron, Finnish Air Force
- No. 32 Squadron, Finnish Air Force
- No. 34 Squadron, Finnish Air Force
Free France[]
Hurricanes also joined the ranks of the Forces Aériennes Françaises Libres (FAFL), the Free French Air Force, fighting in North Africa between June 1940 and May 1943 . The Hurricanes, like all FAFL aircraft, sported the Cross of Lorraine on the fuselage, instead of the roundel in order to distinguish them from those aircraft flying for the Vichy French air force. These squadrons were generally formed within the RAF, so that Groupe de Chasse Alsace was known in British circles as No. 341 Squadron RAF
- Free French Air Force
- Groupe de Chasse II/3 'Alsace'
- , Meknes, Morocco
Nazi Germany[]
The Luftwaffe operated some captured Hurricanes for training and education purposes.[3]
- Luftwaffe
Kingdom of Greece[]
- Royal Hellenic Air Force
- 335th Fighter Squadron (No. 335 Squadron RAF)
- 336th Fighter Squadron (No. 336 Squadron RAF)
British India[]
- No.1 Squadron, IAF
- No.2 Squadron, IAF
- No.3 Squadron, IAF
- No.4 Squadron, IAF
- No.6 Squadron, IAF
- No.7 Squadron, IAF
- No.9 Squadron, PAF
- No.10 Squadron, IAF
- , Ambala
Iran[]
First Hurricane (P3270) was delivered from RAF unit. Next 10 aircraft were left by No. 74 Squadron RAF in May 1943 when unit was sent to Egypt. Last 18 Hurricane IIC were delivered in 1946, two of them were rebuilt as two-seat trainers.[4]
- Imperial Iranian Air Force
- Advanced Fighter Training Group, [4]
Ireland[]
The Irish Air Corps replaced their Gloster Gladiators with Hawker Hurricanes. During World War II, some Hurricanes which either landed accidentally or force-landed in neutral Ireland were immediately impounded and/or repaired by the authorities, while others were purchased direct from Britain. By the end of the war there were a total of 18 Hurricanes in service, which were gradually withdrawn after the Air Corps received a squadron's worth of Supermarine Seafires in 1947.
Kingdom of Italy[]
Two Hurricanes Mk.I, built by Zmaj under license, were captured by the Italians when they took over Zemun airfield near Belgrade. Both were later test-flown at the Guidonia facility where more captured aircraft were hoarded.[5] One of them was prominently featured in Roberto Rossellini's period film Un Pilota Ritorna alongside a Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV. Two more fell into Italian hands during the war - one in North Africa[6] and one that touched down intact at Comiso airfield. Their serial numbers are not known.
Empire of Japan[]
Japanese soldiers captured at least two Hurricanes in Singapore.[7]
- Imperial Japanese Army Air Force
- tested Hurricane IIB Trop (BE208).
- 1 Chutai of the tested Hurricane IIB Trop (BM900).[8]
Netherlands[]
Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force[9]
New Zealand[]
New Zealand operated Hurricanes in 486 and 488 Squadrons. Following the fall of Singapore, 488 Squadron's Hurricanes were transferred to New Zealand home service, where some ended their days as airfield decoys. 486 Squadron was formed and operated as a nightfighter unit, operating in conjunction with a Turbinlite Flight, before re-equipping with the Typhoon and becoming a day fighter unit in September 1942.
- Royal New Zealand Air Force
- No. 486 Squadron RNZAF
- No. 488 Squadron RNZAF
Norway[]
- Royal Norwegian Air Force
Two squadrons of Norwegian pilots in the RAF used Hurricane MkI and Mk.IIb defending the Scapa Flow naval base on the Orkneys in 1941. In summer 1942, both were transferred South to 11 group, trading in their Hurricanes for Spitfires. A single Hurricane flew in Norway after the war, used for evaluation only.
Poland[]
First Hurricanes were bought by Poland in 1939 but were not delivered before 1 September 1939 and were sent to Turkey instead. Polish pilots could fly Hurricanes in Polish squadrons formed in Great Britain in 1940 and No. 302 and No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadrons took part during Battle of Britain.[10]
- No. 302 Polish Fighter Squadron "Poznański"
- No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron "Warszawski Dywizjon im. Tadeusza Kościuszki"
- No. 306 Polish Fighter Squadron "Toruński"
- No. 308 Polish Fighter Squadron "Krakowski"
- No. 315 Polish Fighter Squadron "Dębliński"
- No. 316 Polish Fighter Squadron "Warszawski"
- No. 317 Polish Fighter Squadron "Wileński"
- No. 318 Polish Fighter-Reconnaissance Squadron "Gdański"
Portugal[]
- Arma de Aeronautica
- (Ota)
- (Tancos)
- (Lisboa)
Kingdom of Romania[]
In 1939 a Romanian military delegation went to United Kingdom to order 50 Hurricane Mk Is, with 12 for urgent delivery[11] Only 12 were delivered before Romania sided with the Axis. The planes were assigned to the Escadrila 53 Vânătoare/ Fighter Squadron No 53 (transferred to the Air Dobrogea Command from 7th Fighter Group) and were used during the Operation Barbarossa to protect the Black Sea coast, including the vital Constanța harbour and the strategic Cernavodă railway bridge across the Danube.[12]
Some of the first Romanian aerial victories of the war (23 June 1941) were achieved by Lt Horia Agarici of Escadrila 53, who was flying a damaged Hawker Hurricane Mk 1. At 12 o'clock at the Mamaia airfield, the alarm was raised. Soviet bombers have been reported, which, apparently were heading for Constanța, to attack the harbour. Despite regulations, Horia Agarici take off without order, without a wingman, with a single full tank of fuel, starting "the hunting". Good luck and his sense of guidance helped him. Soon a group of five Ilyushin DB-3 bombers appears in front of his plane, flying at 600 meters altitude, with no fighter escort, attempting to bomb the Romanian fleet.[13] Taking advantage of a favorable position, Agarici attacks. First shooting the bomber head of the formation, the soviet aircraft falls into the sea and explodes. After a diving turn and half a barrel roll, Agarici returns to attack, shooting the second plane from its right side. Then he attacks the third bomber, who is heading towards the ground, although he does not have a fire on board. Perhaps the crew chose imprisonment. The other two Soviet bombers disappeared during this time, abandoning the mission, and Horia Agarici returned to Mamaia airfield, at fuel limit.
In the early days of the war, the Romanian Hurricane pilots shot down eight aircraft without any losses. On 30 June, Esc. 53 Vân had a particularly successful day. During three air combats, Hurricane pilots claimed ten Soviet "Grumman" fighters (most probably Polikarpov I-153s) over Ismail-Tulcea, near Danube, for no losses.[14]
Two Hurricane planes were lost by the end of 1941. Warrant officer Andrei Rădulescu managed to be the second ace in the entire campaign, having 7 confirmed victories and four unconfirmed with his Hurricane. Other Hurricanes, belonging to the Royal Air Force of Yugoslavia were bought from Germany in 1941. Escadrila 53 Vânătoare gradually replaced Hurricanes with the Romanian IAR 80 model.
South Africa[]
South African Air Force operated several squadrons of Hurricanes as part of the Desert Air Force, including 40 Squadron.[15]
- South African Air Force
- 1 Squadron SAAF
- 2 Squadron SAAF
- 3 Squadron SAAF
- 7 Squadron SAAF
- 40 Squadron SAAF
- 41 Squadron SAAF
- , Norton, South Rhodesia
Soviet Union[]
The Soviet Union received 2,952 aircraft of several variants[16] due to Lend-Lease Act agreements. These aircraft served on all fronts.[17] One Hurricane Mk IIB was captured from the Soviets during the war and flown by the Finnish Air Force.
- Soviet Air Forces
- Soviet Air Defence Forces
- Soviet Naval Aviation
Turkey[]
Turkey bought Hurricanes in 1939.
- Turkish Air Force
United Kingdom[]
The last Hurricanes were withdrawn from RAF first-line service in February 1947, although two remain in service with the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
- Royal Air Force
- No. 1 Squadron RAF
- No. 3 Squadron RAF
- No. 5 Squadron RAF
- No. 6 Squadron RAF
- No. 11 Squadron RAF (SEAC)
- No. 17 Squadron RAF
- No. 20 Squadron RAF (SEAC)
- No. 27 Squadron RAF
- No. 28 Squadron RAF
- No. 29 Squadron RAF
- No. 30 Squadron RAF
- No. 32 Squadron RAF
- No. 33 Squadron RAF
- No. 34 Squadron RAF (SEAC)
- No. 42 Squadron RAF
- No. 43 Squadron RAF
- No. 46 Squadron RAF
- No. 56 Squadron RAF
- No. 60 Squadron RAF
- No. 63 Squadron RAF - (Bombardment spotting)
- No. 67 Squadron RAF
- No. 69 Squadron RAF
- No. 71 Squadron RAF
- No. 73 Squadron RAF
- No. 74 Squadron RAF
- No. 79 Squadron RAF
- No. 80 Squadron RAF
- No. 81 Squadron RAF
- No. 85 Squadron RAF
- No. 87 Squadron RAF
- No. 91 Squadron RAF
- No. 92 Squadron RAF
- No. 94 Squadron RAF
- No. 95 Squadron RAF
- No. 96 Squadron RAF
- No. 98 Squadron RAF - (Coastal patrol)
- No. 111 Squadron RAF
- No. 113 Squadron RAF
- No. 116 Squadron RAF
- No. 121 Squadron RAF
- No. 123 Squadron RAF
- No. 126 Squadron RAF
- No. 127 Squadron RAF
- No. 128 Squadron RAF
- No. 131 Squadron RAF
- No. 133 Squadron RAF
- No. 134 Squadron RAF
- No. 135 Squadron RAF
- No. 136 Squadron RAF
- No. 137 Squadron RAF
- No. 145 Squadron RAF
- No. 146 Squadron RAF
- No. 151 Squadron RAF
- No. 164 Squadron RAF
- No. 173 Squadron RAF - (Communications)
- No. 174 Squadron RAF
- No. 175 Squadron RAF
- No. 176 Squadron RAF
- No. 181 Squadron RAF
- No. 182 Squadron RAF
- No. 183 Squadron RAF
- No. 184 Squadron RAF
- No. 185 Squadron RAF
- No. 186 Squadron RAF
- No. 193 Squadron RAF
- No. 195 Squadron RAF
- No. 198 Squadron RAF
- No. 208 Squadron RAF
- No. 213 Squadron RAF
- No. 225 Squadron RAF
- No. 229 Squadron RAF
- No. 232 Squadron RAF
- No. 237 Squadron RAF
- No. 238 Squadron RAF
- No. 239 Squadron RAF
- No. 241 Squadron RAF
- No. 242 Squadron RAF
- No. 245 Squadron RAF
- No. 247 Squadron RAF
- No. 249 Squadron RAF
- No. 250 Squadron RAF
- No. 253 Squadron RAF
- No. 255 Squadron RAF
- No. 256 Squadron RAF
- No. 257 Squadron RAF
- No. 258 Squadron RAF
- No. 260 Squadron RAF - (Combined operations with No. 450 Squadron RAAF)
- No. 261 Squadron RAF
- No. 263 Squadron RAF
- No. 273 Squadron RAF
- No. 274 Squadron RAF
- No. 276 Squadron RAF
- No. 279 Squadron RAF
- No. 283 Squadron RAF
- No. 284 Squadron RAF - (Air-Sea Rescue)
- No. 285 Squadron RAF
- No. 286 Squadron RAF
- No. 287 Squadron RAF
- No. 288 Squadron RAF
- No. 289 Squadron RAF
- No. 290 Squadron RAF
- No. 291 Squadron RAF
- No. 501 Squadron RAF
- No. 504 Squadron RAF
- No. 516 Squadron RAF
- No. 518 Squadron RAF
- No. 520 Squadron RAF
- No. 521 Squadron RAF - (Meteorological)
- No. 527 Squadron RAF - (Calibration)
- No. 530 Squadron RAF
- No. 531 Squadron RAF
- No. 532 Squadron RAF
- No. 533 Squadron RAF
- No. 534 Squadron RAF
- No. 535 Squadron RAF
- No. 536 Squadron RAF
- No. 537 Squadron RAF
- No. 538 Squadron RAF
- No. 539 Squadron RAF
- No. 567 Squadron RAF
- No. 577 Squadron RAF
- No. 587 Squadron RAF
- No. 595 Squadron RAF
- No. 598 Squadron RAF
- No. 601 Squadron RAF
- No. 605 Squadron RAF
- No. 607 Squadron RAF
- No. 610 Squadron RAF
- No. 615 Squadron RAF
- No. 624 Squadron RAF
- No. 631 Squadron RAF
- No. 639 Squadron RAF
- No. 650 Squadron RAF
- No. 667 Squadron RAF
- No. 679 Squadron RAF
- No. 691 Squadron RAF
- No. 695 Squadron RAF
- No. 680 Squadron RAF
- No. 681 Squadron RAF
Yugoslavia[]
Zmaj factory built 20 Hurricanes under licence[15][18] along with 24 examples delivered from Britain. After the war 16 aircraft were used by the SFR Yugoslav Air Force.
- Yugoslav Royal Air Force
- ,
- ,
- ,
- Yugoslav Squadrons in the RAF
- SFR Yugoslav Air Force
- 1st Fighter Regiment (1945)
- Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment (1947–1948)
- 103rd Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment (1948–1951)
Other users[]
Latvia[]
Latvian Aviation Regiment (Latvian Air Force)
In 1939, Latvia ordered and paid for 30 British Hawker Hurricane fighters, but due to the start of World War II later that year, they were never delivered.[19]
See also[]
References[]
Notes[]
- ^ Australian War Memorial, 2008, "450 Squadron RAAF" Retrieved on 6 February 2008.
- ^ Darren Crick, 2005, "RAAF A60 Hawker Hurricane" (adf-serials.com) Retrieved on 15 August 2008.
- ^ Ryś. Hawker Hurricane, p.158
- ^ a b Ryś. Hawker Hurricane, p.55
- ^ Garello, Giancarlo; Gueli Marco (2007). Ali straniere in Italia - n°6 - War Prizes. Giorgio Apostolo Editore.
- ^ http://www.qattara.it/foto%20storiche_files/44567_Guerra%2040-43%20-%20Africa%20Settentrionale%20-%20Hurricane%20catturato.jpg
- ^ Ryś. Hawker Hurricane, p.171
- ^ Bridgwater & Scott 2001, p. 29.
- ^ Bridgwater & Scott 2001, p. 62,65.
- ^ Gretzyngier 2005
- ^ Bernád 2003, p. 8.
- ^ Bernád 2003, p. 12.
- ^ Neulen 2000, p. 96.
- ^ Bernád, Karlenko, Roba 2007, p. 40.
- ^ a b Franks 1999, p. 150.
- ^ Bader 2004, p. 135-137.
- ^ http://www.allaces.ru/ (Rus)
- ^ Ryś 2006, p. 54.
- ^ Ilmārs. "Latavio". lffb.lv (in Latvian). Archived from the original on 18 February 2014.
Bibliography[]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hawker Hurricane. |
- Bernád, Dénes. Rumanian Aces of World War 2 (Aircraft of the Aces 54). Botley, Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-84176-535-X.
- Bernád, Dénes. Dmitry Karlenko and Jean-Louis Roba, From Barbarossa to Odessa- The Luftwaffe and Axis Allies strike South-East: June–October 1941. Hinckley, LE, UK: Ian Allan Publishing, 2007. ISBN 978-1- 85780-273-3
- Birtles, Philip. Hurricane Squadrons in Focus. Walton on Thames, Surrey, UK: Red Kite, 2003. ISBN 0-9538061-5-4.
- Bridgwater, H.C. and Scott, Peter. Combat Colours Number 4; Pearl Harbor and Beyond, December 1941 to May 1942. Luton, Bedfordshire, UK: Guideline Publications, 2001. ISBN 0-9539040-6-7.
- Franks, Richard A. The Hawker Hurricane, a Comprehensive Guide for the Modeller (Modellers Datafile 2). Bedford, UK: SAM Publications, 1999. ISBN 0-9533465-1-X.
- Lopes, Mário Canongia. Spitfires e Hurricanes em Portugal (Bilingual Portuguese/English). Lisboa, Portugal: Dinalivro, 1993. ISBN 978-972-576-065-9.
- Ryś, Marek. Hawker Hurricane. Sandomierz, Poland/Redbourn, Herts, UK: Mushroom Model Publications, 2006. ISBN 978-83-89450-32-6.
- Gretzyngier, Robert. Polskie Skrzydła 4 - Hawker Hurricane, część 1. Sandomierz, Poland: Stratus 2005. ISBN 83-89450-37-2. (Polish)
- Wawrzyński, Mirosław. Hurricane w obcej służbie - Hurricane in Foreign Service. Warsaw, Poland: AJaKS-Książki Militarne, 2001. ISBN 83-914521-0-7. (Polish with English summary)
- Lists of military units and formations of World War II
- Hawker Hurricane
- Lists of aircraft operators by aircraft type