The Hurricane flew and fought on more war fronts than many Allied Aircraft.  It fought first in many theatres and against greater odds, even than the Spitfire. 

The miracle of the Hurricane, was that it was a match for the enemy due to its performance, resilience and in-service availability; due largely to its employment of more traditional construction techniques.  These techniques were classic of Sir Sydney Camm's design evolution philosophy.

The Hurricane was built originally to address Air Ministry Tender F.36/34 - Single-Seat Fighter - High Speed Monoplane.  The first Hurricane prototype was K5083 built in 1935 at Canbury Park Road in Kingston, Surrey.  This aircraft took part in the film 'Shadow of the Wing' in 1937.  Hurricanes continued to be built at Canbury Park throughout the war, later joined by those built in Langley, Berkshire.

The first RAF Hurricane was L1547, delivered to No.111 (Fighter) Squadron in December 1937.

The main variants of the Hurricane were:

MkI
MkIIA
MkIIB
MkIIC
MkIID
MkIII
MkIV

along with variants of propeller and engine fit-outs.

It is generally acknowledged that the MkIIC with Rotol variable pitch propeller was the most effective Hurricane in Air-Air Combat; certainly it was the version produced in the greatest quantities throughout WWII.

In the capacity of Tank-Busters, the Hurricane IID and IV made great impact in North Africa in support of the Eighth Army.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4U1u1HmtkU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDVCcLWlHPc