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Kingston Aviation History
The aeroplanes that were built between these two periods of time helped the British in the war massively and many improvements were made from the first plane the Sopwith Camel -
Sopwith Camel is First Flown
The Camel prototype was first flown by Harry Hawker at Brooklands on 22 December 1916, powered by a 110 hp Clerget 9Z. Approximately 5,490 Camels were built. Vickers machine guns were mounted directly in front of the cockpit. The Sopwith Camel was credited with shooting down 1,294 enemy aircraft, more than any other Allied fighter of the war. It was manufactured from the Sopwith Aviation Company. The rotary engine and the pilot were very close by and this plane had two guns. Replaced Sopwith Pup -
Sopwith Rhino
The first prototype made its maiden flight at Brooklands in October 1917, with initial testing showing it to be nose heavy and subject to engine overheating. Performance was unimpressive, with the aircraft having a poor ceiling and low speed, and it was rejected as a service type. This plane had only one gun and two of these planes were only made. The top speed was 103mph and the endurance of the plane was 3hr and 45mins. It took 24mins to get to top altitude which was 10,000 feet. -
Sopwith Cuckoo
The plane could reach 12,100 feet and its top speed was 105.5 mph. The T.1 was the first landplane specifically designed for carrier operations, but it was completed too late for service in the First World War. its wings were hinged to fold backwards. The T.1 could take off from a carrier deck in four seconds, but it was not capable of making a carrier landing The prototype T.1 first flew in June 1917, powered by a 200 hp Hispano-Suiza 8Ba engine. Launched a Torpedo Bomb - Use stopped in 1923. -
Hawker Woodcock
This plane was a fighter plane and had 64 planes built of this kind. The Woodcock was armed with two .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers machine guns, synchronised to fire through the propeller disk. The guns were mounted externally on each side of the fuselage, just below the edge of the cockpit. they were first ordered by the RAF and they wanted 10 of these planes. Some of these planes were still flying in 1936. The Hawker Woodcock can reach 20,550feet and 141mph. -
Hawker Danecock
The Hawker Danecock was armed with two 303 Madson machieneguns. Denmark obtained a licence that enabled them to produce more of these planes. 15 planes were built and the the planes role was to be a fighter. The first aircraft was flown on 18 December 1925 by George Bulman. It was developed from the Hawker Woodcock. The top speed of the plane is 145mph and the highest altitude the plane can go is 22,800 feet. -
Hawker Fury
Hawker's new light bomber, the Hawker Hart. The new fighter prototype, known as the Hawker Hornet, first flew at Brooklands, Surrey, in March 1929.[2] The Hornet was a single engined biplane, with single bay wings, initially powered by a 420 hp (313 kW) Rolls-Royce F.XIC engine enclosed by a smooth, streamlined cowling, but was quickly re-engined with a 480 hp (358 kW) Kestrel IS.The plane had better handling. Stopped in 1949. Top speed = 223mph at 16,500 but top altitude = 29,500 ft. -
Hawker Hurricane
he Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force (RAF). Although largely overshadowed by the Supermarine Spitfire, the aircraft became renowned during the Battle of Britain, accounting for 60% of the RAF's air victories in the battle, and served in all the major theatres of the Second World War. It has metal skin wings which allows diving speeds of 80 mph. The metal wings could carry much more. -
Hawker Hurricane Continued
The Hurricane was ordered into production in June 1936. The Hurricane was also significantly cheaper than the Spitfire, requiring 10,300 man hours to produce rather than 15,200 for the Spitfire. The maximum speed is 340 mph and the top altitiude is 36,000ft. The plane uses two bombs and four guns.14,553 Hawker Hurricanes were built. -
Supermarine Spitfire
The plane was a Fighter / Photo-reconnaissance aircraft. During the Battle of Britain (July–October 1940), the Spitfire was perceived by the public as the RAF fighter, though the more numerous Hawker Hurricane shouldered a greater proportion of the burden against the Luftwaffe. The Spitfire units had a lower attrition rate and a higher victory-to-loss ratio than those flying Hurricanes. The Spitfire units had a lower attrition rate and a higher victory-to-loss ratio than those flying Hurricanes. -
Supermarine Spitfire Continued
The planes were built between 1938 and 1948 and 20,351 plans of this type were prodcued. A feature of the wing was its washout. The trailing edge of the wing twisted slightly upward along its span. This caused the wing roots to stall before the tips, reducing tip-stall that could otherwise have resulted in a spin.The airflow through the main radiator was controlled by pneumatic exit flaps. Top speed = 378mph and top altitude = 35,000ft. -
Hawker Hunter
The Hawker Hunter is a subsonic jet manufactured in Britain. It was orrigianly intended to be used as a fighter aircraft, but has been later adapted to carry out reconaissaince and Fighter/bombing missions. It was also one of the first jet propelled planes that came into production. It was introduced in 1956 and there 1,972 planes built of this kind.The Hunter proved to be far more successful, and would have a lengthy service life due to its low maintenance and operating costs. -
Hawker Hunter Continued
As the RAF received newer supersonic aircraft for the air interceptor role, many Hunters would be modified and reequipped for ground-attack and reconnaissance roles instead. The second prototype was fitted with a 7,550 lbf (33.58 kN) Avon 107 turbojet. The top speed is 715mph and the top altitude is 50,000ft. The plane has 4 guns, 36 rockets and 8 missiles. There are also bombs loaded onto the plane. -
Hawker Siddley Harrier
The Hawker Harrier, also known as the jump jet. This plane is the only that can take a vertical lift off without taking use of the runway and gaining speed. The Sea Harrier and the Harrier fought in the 1982 Falklands War, in which the aircraft proved to be crucial. The Harrier GR.1 made its first flight on 28 December 1967. It officially entered service with the RAF on 18 April 1969. The Harrier is typically used as a ground attack aircraft. -
Hawker Siddley Harrier Continued
Video of Harrier TakeoffIts manoeuvrability also allows it to effectively engage other aircraft at short ranges. The Rolls-Royce Pegasus turbofan jet engine, developed in tandem with the Harrier, was designed specifically for manouvering. The Harrier has been described as 'unforgiving' by pilots. This is because pilots need great skill and technical ability to control plane. Top speed = 730mph and top altitude = 51,200ft. The plane has 2 guns, 4 rockets, 2 missiles and a variety of bombs like iron bombs.
