From October 1940 new Hawker Hurricanes were built as fighter bombers and gained the nickname 'Hurribomber', the aircraft was initially designated the Hurricane IIA Series 2 but was quickly re-designated the Hurricane Mk IIB to reduce spare part ordering confusion. The Hawker Hurricane Mk IIB was fitted with racks allowing them to carry two 250 lb or 500 lb bombs, alternatively two 45-gallon drop tanks could be fitted to increase range, main armament was either twelve .303 machine guns or four cannon and six .303 machine guns. The Hurribomber pictured above, G-HHII, was built by the Canada Car and Foundry Co Ltd. and served with the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1942 to 1945 and has only recently been restored to full flying condition. Hawker Hurricane Mk IIB Hurribomber Specifications: - Crew: Pilot only
- Weight: Empty 5,500 lbs.
- Maximum Takeoff weight: 7,300 lbs.
- Wing Span: 40ft. 0in.
- Length: 32ft. 2.5in.
- Height: 13ft. 1in.
- Engine: Single 1,280hp Rolls-Royce Merlin XX V12 piston engine
- Maximum Speed at 22,000 ft: 342 mph
- Cruising Speed at 20,000 ft: 296 mph
- Service ceiling: 36,500 ft
- Range: 480 miles
Hawker Hurricane Mk IIB Hurribomber Armament: - Twelve 7.7mm (0.303in.) wing-mounted machine guns or Six machine guns and four cannon
Two 250 or 500-lb bombs
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