Hurricane Mk Is

[canonuk]

Hi guys,

I've been gathering various references and photos etc and have been trying to get the early and late Hurricane Mk I variants sorted in my head. So far I think I've got a basic idea, but I'm still unsure about a few points.

The way I understand it is the main difference between the early and late MkIs was the fabric/metal wing. I'm aware that the early MkIs were fitted with a 2-blade propellor, but some were retrofitted with 3-blades. That makes it awkward for me to distinguish based on that feature. Also, the ventral strake present on late MkIs also seems to sometimes be present on early MkIs

As you can see, I'm pretty confused. Would someone be able to help me with some nice clear rules/answers for ID?

Many thanks for any help,

Joe

[Pilot]

There is much more difference and variation about the Mk.I model... I did not count but there is some seven or eight variation on this model.

[Amrit1]

The main differences were:

1) metal-covered wings
2) armour
3) ejector exhaust stacks
4) RR Mk II / III engine
5) change of propeller (as you've mentioned)

[Graham Boak]

Only very early Hurricanes lacked the ventral strake, and these would tend to have a pole mast.

Armour was a modification added to any aircraft, and is not a guide to production standard.

The two-blade Watts propeller was replaced by the 3-blade DH variable speed (two position) prop whilst the fabric-covered wing was still in production. This had a short semi-conical spinner

Note that the metal wing had different ammunition supply panels, and a different position of the landing light.

The Rotol 3-blade constant speed prop appeared on many Hurricanes in mid-1940, this had a large bulbous spinner, almost hemispherical. Designed for the Spitfire, this slightly overlaps the Hurricane’s nose. Because of oil leaks from the CS unit Hurricanes grew an oil spill ring around the nose, immediately aft of the spinner, to keep oil off the windscreen. This is seen on all aircraft, regardless of propeller.

By July 1940 the vp DH props had been replaced on front-line aircraft by the constant speed DH prop. It is not clear that this had any different external shape, although certainly this seems to be the case on some Sea Hurricanes, which have slightly longer spinners. Difficult to be sure about this point.

Some very late Hurricane Mk.1s had the bullet-shaped Rotol spinner as seen on all later Hurricanes.

[canonuk]

Thanks - very useful