Mercedes Mullins
The Hawker Hurricane was a British single-seat fighter aircraft manufactured by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. in the 1930s and 1940s. It played a crucial role in World War II, serving in all major theatres of the war alongside the Supermarine Spitfire. The Hurricane's fuel tanks were initially vulnerable to enemy fire, particularly the gravity-feed fuel tank in front of the cockpit, which posed a significant risk to pilots. To address this issue, Hawker retrofitted the fuselage tanks with Linatex, a fire-resistant material. Later variants of the Hurricane, such as the Mk II, introduced external fuel tanks and played a ground-attack role, known as the Hurribomber. The Hawker Hurricane's fuel capacity and modifications contributed to its reputation as a reliable and versatile aircraft during World War II.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel tank location | The Hawker Hurricane had a gravity fuel tank in the forward fuselage, in front of the instrument panel. |
| Fuel tank protection | The fuel tank was unprotected and vulnerable to gunfire, which could result in a jet of flame entering the cockpit. |
| Fuel tank modifications | Hawker retrofitted the fuselage tanks with Linatex, a self-expanding rubber coating to protect against fires. |
| Fuel tank capacity | Not specified, but the Hawker Hurricane had a range of 455-515 miles (732-829 km) depending on the variant. |
| External fuel tanks | Test flights with external fuel tanks began in May 1940, increasing the aircraft's range and endurance. |
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What You'll Learn
Fuel tanks were vulnerable to machine gun fire
The Hawker Hurricane was a British single-seat fighter aircraft designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. for service with the Royal Air Force (RAF). It was designed by Sydney Camm and his team at Hawker in the early 1930s. The Hurricane was the main fighter of the RAF in the early stages of World War II and played a crucial role in the Battle of Britain, inflicting 60% of the losses sustained by the Luftwaffe during the campaign.
The Hawker Hurricane's fuel tanks were vulnerable to machine gun fire, particularly the gravity-feed fuel tank in front of the cockpit, which lacked protection for the pilot. This tank could rupture when hit, allowing a jet of flame to penetrate the cockpit through the instrument panel, causing serious burn injuries or even death. This issue was a significant concern, as it endangered the lives of pilots and impacted the effectiveness of the aircraft in combat.
The Hawker Hurricane's construction also contributed to its vulnerability to machine gun fire. The wooden frames and fabric covering of the rear fuselage allowed fires to spread easily, increasing the risk of combustion and making it challenging to contain fires when they occurred. This issue was addressed by adding additional armour plating to the fuel tanks and retrofitting the fuselage tanks with Linatex, a fire-resistant, self-expanding rubber coating.
To mitigate the vulnerability of the fuel tanks, several modifications were made to the Hawker Hurricane. The wing tanks were fitted with a covering of sealant to enhance their protection. However, the fuselage tank was initially considered a less likely target due to its smaller size. As the conflict progressed, it became evident that the fuselage tank was still vulnerable, and Hawker prioritized retrofitting these tanks with Linatex to improve their fire resistance.
The Hawker Hurricane played a pivotal role in World War II, despite its fuel tanks' initial vulnerability to machine gun fire. Through modifications and the addition of protective measures, the aircraft's resilience was enhanced, contributing to its overall success and impact during the war.
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Gravity-feed fuel tank in front of the cockpit
The Hawker Hurricane was a British single-seat fighter aircraft manufactured by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. in the 1930s and 1940s. It was a legendary aircraft and played a vital role in the Second World War, serving in nearly all major theatres of the war where British forces were engaged. The Hurricane was designed by Sydney Camm, Hawker's chief designer, and was known for its ruggedness and reliability.
One notable feature of the Hawker Hurricane was its gravity-feed fuel tank, which was located in front of the cockpit, directly in front of the instrument panel. This placement of the fuel tank had some significant implications for the pilots' safety. The fuel tank was vulnerable to damage during combat, and if it was ruptured by enemy fire, it could result in a jet of flame penetrating the cockpit through the instrument panel, causing serious burn injuries to the pilot. This issue became a serious concern, and efforts were made to address it.
The gravity-feed fuel tank in front of the cockpit presented a significant safety hazard for Hawker Hurricane pilots during the Second World War. The fuel tank was unprotected and positioned directly in front of the instrument panel. This meant that if the tank was hit by enemy fire, it could rupture, allowing fuel to leak out and potentially igniting a fire or explosion.
The consequences of a ruptured fuel tank could be catastrophic. In some instances, a jet of flame would penetrate the cockpit and burn through the instrument panel, endangering the pilot. The wooden and fabric construction of the rear fuselage further exacerbated the risk of fire, as it could easily catch and spread flames. This design flaw resulted in numerous pilots sustaining serious burn injuries during combat.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Air Vice Marshal Hugh Dowding took swift action. He ordered Hawker to retrofit the fuselage tanks of the Hurricanes with Linatex, a self-expanding rubber coating known for its fire-resistant properties. This modification was implemented as a priority, with Hurricanes being modified at a rate of 75 per month.
The retrofitting of the fuselage tanks with Linatex proved effective in mitigating the risks associated with the gravity-feed fuel tank's vulnerable position. While the Hawker Hurricane continued to play a crucial role in the war effort, the Linatex coating provided added protection for pilots, reducing the likelihood of fuel-related fires and minimizing the potential for catastrophic cockpit fires.
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Linatex fire-resistant coating
The Hawker Hurricane was a British single-seat fighter aircraft designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. for service with the Royal Air Force (RAF). It was a vital aircraft in the Second World War, serving in nearly every major theatre of the war, and even as a bomber. It was the first RAF aircraft to fly over 300 mph.
The Hurricane's construction made it dangerous if it caught fire; the wood frames and fabric covering of the rear fuselage allowed fire to spread easily. The gravity fuel tank in the forward fuselage sat right in front of the instrument panel, without any form of protection for the pilot. This became a serious concern as many Hurricane pilots were badly burned as a result of a jet of flame that could burn through the instrument panel.
As a solution, Air Vice Marshal Hugh Dowding had Hawker retrofit the fuselage tanks of Hurricanes with Linatex, a self-expanding rubber coating and fire-resistant material. Linatex is produced according to a patented process and provides excellent protection for equipment. With a history dating back to 1923, Linatex has earned a worldwide reputation for its unsurpassed quality and is the rubber preferred for long-lasting protection. The natural molecular structure of Linatex rubber products contributes to their excellent position in contact with wet abrasive media. Linatex is clearly superior to other products in terms of durability, strength, tear resistance, and good friction with a variety of surface materials. It offers protection against abrasion, corrosion, and wear and is usable at high temperatures of up to about 100°C, making it suitable for various applications such as the lining of tanks and special seals.
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External fuel tanks
The Hawker Hurricane was a British single-seat fighter aircraft designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. for service with the Royal Air Force (RAF). The Hurricane was a vital aircraft in the Second World War, serving in nearly every major theatre of the war.
Test flights with external fuel tanks began in May 1940, with the first Mark II trials taking place in June 1941. The Hurricane's standard fuel capacity was 97 Imperial gallons (441 L) in two fuel tanks, each of 34.5 gal (157 L) in the wing centre-section held between the spars. The fuel was pumped from these tanks into a reserve gravity-feed tank, which held an additional 28 gal (127 L) in the forward fuselage, just ahead of the cockpit. This gravity-feed tank was a significant hazard as it was unprotected and could rupture when hit, allowing a jet of flame to penetrate the cockpit through the instrument panel and cause serious burn injuries to the pilot. This issue was addressed by retrofitting the fuselage tanks with a fire-resistant material called "Linatex".
The new wings of the Hawker Hurricane later included a hardpoint for a 500 or 250 lb (230 or 110 kg) bomb and, later, fuel tanks. The addition of external fuel tanks allowed the aircraft to carry more fuel, increasing its range and endurance. This was particularly important for long-duration missions or missions where the aircraft had to travel significant distances to reach its target. The external fuel tanks also provided flexibility in mission planning, as the aircraft could be refuelled in the field without having to return to a base or airfield.
Quickboost (by Aires) offers a 1/48 scale external fuel tank for the Hawker Hurricane, providing modellers and enthusiasts with an accurate representation of this aircraft's configuration during World War II.
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Fuel starvation during negative-g manoeuvres
The Hawker Hurricane was a British single-seat fighter aircraft designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. for service with the Royal Air Force (RAF). It played a vital role in the Second World War, serving in nearly every major theatre of the war and even as a bomber.
The Hurricane was powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, which had a tendency to cut out during negative-g manoeuvres and inverted flight due to fuel starvation. This issue was not unique to the Hurricane and affected other aircraft such as the Spitfire. During a negative-g manoeuvre, the fuel would be forced up to the top of the carburettor's float chamber instead of flowing down into the engine, resulting in a loss of power. If the negative-g force was sustained, the fuel collecting in the float chamber could force the float to the bottom of the chamber, causing the engine to cut out completely.
The problem of fuel starvation during negative-g manoeuvres was addressed by Beatrice "Tilly" Shilling, an engineer at the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough Airfield. She invented a simple device called Miss Shilling's orifice, officially known as the R.A.E. restrictor. It was a thimble-shaped brass flow restrictor with precise dimensions that allowed just enough fuel flow for maximum engine power. This device, along with modifications to the needle valve, enabled pilots to perform quick negative-g manoeuvres without losing engine power.
Fuel starvation is a critical issue in aircraft, as it can lead to power loss or engine stoppage. While fuel starvation does not imply a complete lack of fuel, it indicates that the fuel is unable to reach the engine in sufficient quantities. This can occur due to various factors such as blockage, vapor lock, water contamination, fuel pump malfunction, or incorrect operation. In the case of the Hawker Hurricane, the issue was specifically related to the carburettor design and has been mitigated by the use of restrictors.
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Frequently asked questions
The Hawker Hurricane's fuel capacity is not publicly available. However, it is known that the aircraft underwent test flights with external fuel tanks in May 1940. The fuel tanks in the fuselage were also retrofitted with Linatex, a self-expanding rubber coating, to protect them from fires.
The Hawker Hurricane had gravity-feed fuel tanks located in front of the cockpit. These tanks were initially unprotected and vulnerable to enemy fire, which could result in serious burn injuries to the pilot if ruptured. To address this issue, Hawker retrofitted the fuselage tanks with Linatex, a fire-resistant material.
Yes, the Hawker Hurricane was powered by a 1,200-horsepower, 12-cylinder, in-line Rolls-Royce engine, also known as the Merlin engine. This engine provided more power at low altitudes compared to the Daimler-Benz DB 601 engine used in rival aircraft. However, the Merlin engine had a tendency to cut out during negative-g manoeuvres and inverted flight due to fuel starvation from the carburettor.
