Fabric Wing Hurricane

I recall reading (probably in Melvyn’s book too, or maybe the MMP title) that the Science Museum Hurri was damaged shortly before the Battle of France and while being repaired, was rebuilt with the deeper rudder and ‘keel’, armoured seat/screen and DH prop. Not sure about wing, but I it makes sense that metal skinned ones were added at this stage.

Bruce

I am pretty sure that in its service life the S/M Hurricane was “modded” up to metal wing configuration (probably after being damaged with 43 Sqn) so it looks possible it WAS retro-fitted with fabric wings.

There was a rumour from long back (which may have been disproved since) that Sea Hurricane Z7015’s fabric wings were swapped with the wings on the Science Museum aircraft at some point in its history.

Could very easily be apocryphal.

Bruce

How long has the S/M Hurri been strung up? From where ever I receall seeing the fabric wing Hurri, I do remember that it was sitting on its wheels.

Steve

I am pretty sure that the S/M Hurricane had metal wings and the later aerial when it served on 43 Squadron, and probably when it was with 615 too. Seems odd if it was retro-fitted, although I believe it was “overhauled” for the S/M in the late 40’s early 50’s?

Call it old age!! My feeling is incorrect. Only the outer wing panels outboard of the wing centre sectionwere fabric (my my, Mr Hiscock’s book is useful!!)

I have only ever seen one lump of fabric wing in existence (other than S-M!) and that was bought by Tim Moore at the Chippenham Scrapyard auction…i was being a gentleman so did not bid against him or indeed Mark12 on the spitfire stuff! Being a gentleman does not always pay!!!! I saw that section (leading edge) being offered for sale a few years later (not by Tim) at quite a mark up….ISTR from the <£100 it went for!

concur regarding that only Science Museum example was built to have fabric wings……though not sure how it retained this fabric wing as they must have been a pig to look after, from memory most of under wing is ally skinned (given case ejectors) hardly surprising really. Any Hurri in long term service would likely have been fitted with metal skinned wings (I have a niggly feeling that this had happened to the S-M example too).

The S-M (cheeky!) mk 1 is the only Hurri to have an external armoured screen, but, again from memory, the later aerial, anti spin/improved keel surface stake fairing, but no big old venturi!

Just checked the pix and it has retained the early aerial!!

There is currently only one fabric winged Hurricane on show, that is the Science Museum’s example, ‘Looker’s Hurricane’. It has always been at the Science Museum. I don’t recall any evidence any other Hurricane has been on show with a fabric wing.

The early Hurricanes were all built with the fabric wing, and as the metal wing was developed and finalised, the fabric wing examples still in service were retrofitted as quickly as possible with the metal wing.

The Hurricane wing (all marks) is a centre section and two outer sections. These can be swapped out relatively easily. (And for the inevitable question, no, I don’t know of any that flew with one of each type of wing.) Systems were added to enable carriage of greater armament and stores, but AFAIK, the main structural joints did not change.

The Science Museum Hurricane also has a number of relatively early (but not earliest) Mk.I features.

The Hurricane fabric covered wing was, as Chippie 51 pointed out, fabric covered aft of the mainspar. Unlike the Spitfire, the leading edge was not part of the spar construction. The fabric wing had rectangular gun access hatches, while the metal covered one had the six-sided main hatch, and asymmetric smaller ammunition hatches. As well as the obviously fabric or metal skin, there are a number of other differences notable at a greater distance to id the wings.

The fabric wing allowed the Hurricane to enter widespread service while Hawker developed the metal wing, so the RAF were able to get used to the new fighter. Superseded, it was replaced on a/c as soon as possible.

HTH.

See:
Melvin Hiscock – The Hawker Hurricane, Inside & Out, Crowood 1861256308.

MMP The Hawker Hurricane by Marek Rys.

BTW, when I remember the fabric Hurri in Hendon, it was many years ago. The Hurri was in the main building, not the BoB hall. Could this example have gone to the Science museum???

Metal Leading Edge….

…..they’re only fabric covered from aft of the leading edge, in the same manner as many a Corsair wing.

George

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cessna152towser/2232041565/sizes/l/

Looks a lot like an aluminium covered wing to me.

I’m 99% sure Hendon has or had a canvas wing Hurri as when I did see it, it was the first time I’d seen a canvas wing.

I think that the Battle of Britain Hall Hurricane (P2617) actually has aluminium covered wings?

I also seem to remember reading that Hurricane wings are interchangeable between marks.

OK, so that’s two survivors. Any more??

You’re correct Carpetbagger.

From the Science Museum website,

“This particular machine fought over Dunkirk and in the Battle of Britain. Although similar in appearance to the Supermarine Spitfire and also powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, the Hurricane is fundamentally different in construction. It demonstrates the longevity of the pioneers’ designs, with the ‘stick and the string’ replaced by metal; and this early example retains fabric covering on the wings. The Hurricane, although slower than the Spitfire, was considered a sturdier machine and able to withstand heavier battle-damage.”

http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/images/I005/10216097.aspx?keywords=battle

Cheers

Owen

Just finished reading Melvyn Hiscock’s book on the Hurricane, ‘Inside and Out’ I think. In it there are some pictures of the fabric wing Hurricane. I’m sure he says it’s hanging in the Science Museum.
Can’t check at the mo as I’m at work but can check later.

John