Long-Range Hurricane II (internal tanks)
 

In 'Goon in the Block' by Don Edy (http://www.goonintheblock.com/) he states that No. 33 Squadron RAF in 1941 were equipped with a version of Hurricanes with an internal tank to give them longer range.

Does anyone have further details on the performance of this version, and how many of them were issued?

Many thanks!

All the best

Andreas

Re: Long-Range Hurricane II (internal tanks)
 

To the best of my knowledge, this isn't described in any other Hurricane book (and I have a lot of them, for what that's worth). It's not clear where such a tank could be placed, as the Hurricane did not have the spare c.g. range/stability for carrying such a tank behind the pilot. It was so limited that Sea Hurricanes, with an arrester hook and catapult spools, had to use the heavier metal DH propeller rather than the wooden Rotol one.

Does he give any other information?

Re: Long-Range Hurricane II (internal tanks)
 

Many thanks Graham. I am away from the book at the moment, but will get back to this in January.

All the best

Andreas

Re: Long-Range Hurricane II (internal tanks)
 

Okay, I have now found confirmation of the long-range, but nothing on the location of the tank. In AIR22-208 it states that No. 33 Squadron received LR Hurricanes which were most valuable in long-range intrusion missions to attack ground transport. It states also that 2 of these planes were received by 2 December 41, and others during the next few days. These first two were flown in by Fl/O Kelsall and Sgt. Dallas of No. 33, the planes coming from 53 R.S.U. to Giarabub. They are described as 'new long-range Hurricanes' in the ORB.

This could of course just refer to the normal LR version with underwing tanks?

All the best

Andreas

Re: Long-Range Hurricane II (internal tanks)
 

Hello!

Are these of any help or do they only muddy the waters more?

http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/P00869.045

http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/P00150.019

These were non-droppable tanks?? Sort of "integral".

Cheers,
Kari

Re: Long-Range Hurricane II (internal tanks)
 

Hi
I read somewhere the PR hurricanes had extra internal fuel tanks, but I assumed that it took the space of the removed MG or cannon.
cheers
Jerry

Re: Long-Range Hurricane II (internal tanks)
 

I have no idea. It threw me a bit too. Don Edy says that they were internal, and made the planes handle worse, but that the extra fuel tanks were the reason why No. 33 was riding shotgun for the PR planes.

All the best

Andreas

Re: Long-Range Hurricane II (internal tanks)
 

Hello,

Delivery pilot, P/O Kelsall = AUS400203 P/O Albert Edward KELSALL RAAF.

Col.

Re: Long-Range Hurricane II (internal tanks)
 

Thanks! Quite the international squadron. Don Edy is Canadian, P/O Wade was American.

All the best

Andreas

Re: Long-Range Hurricane II (internal tanks)
 

Okay, I have now picked up the copy of the book again. He describes them as refurbished Battle of Britain Hurricanes (Hurricane I?) with additional fuel tanks internal in the wings.

Any thoughts?

All the best

Andreas