The Mk IV initially was designated the Mk IIE, it was a modified Mk II using the Universal or “E” wing which was not designed as a fighter wing. By the later stage of the war the Hurricane wasn’t a front line fighter. It was being used as a platform for ground attack. The “E” designation was also used on Spitfires for a wing that could carry variations on cannon and MG fits plus bombs underneath.
“A” wing had 8 .303 Brownings,
“B” wing 12 Brownings
“C”, 4 20 mm cannon. There were bombs (250 and 500 lb x 2), 40mm anti tank cannon (RR or Vickers S type), long range fuel tanks (44 or 90 gallon, the smaller ones being combat tanks that could be dropped, the 90 gallon ones being ferry tanks), or up to 8 60 lb Rocket Projectiles (RP’s). All had been used with success from the Mk IIb onwards,
“D” with 40mm guns was similar to a Mk IV,
“E” or Mk IV differed in that it had an enhanced engine and a lot of armour protection around the engine, radiator and cockpit. Thus the Mk IV was far better able to operate when in a high flak situation than the Mk II.
British aircraft used for ground attack, such as the Typhoon and Whirlwind, never had the armour protection, depending on additional armament, speed and manoeuvrability for protection.
The Mk IV Hurricane because of the increased weight lacked speed and manoeuvrability compared to the Mk I. The Mk IV like the Mk IID had a pair of .303 Browning MG’s for sighting the 40 mm guns or for limited self defence.
The MkIID wing fitted to the VWoC MKIV would be identical to the MKIV wing.
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