263 Squadron used the Whirlwind alongside their Hawker Hurricanes and after moving to RAF Exeter became operational with the aircraft on the 7th December 1940 when they flew a patrol over Plymouth. They

having their Hawker Audux replaced during June 1938. The Lysander Mk I, which was powered by the 890-hp Bristol Mercury XII engine, had a top speed of 219 mph, range of 600 miles with a service ceiling

During 1934 Hawker Aircraft had purchased the Gloster Aircraft Company, this led to the only other production variant the Gauntlet Mk II being built inline with Hawker's methods. This was the only difference

with the same bubble canopy that was fitted to the Hawker Typhoon under the designation XP-47K. This gave improved rear vision as did the flatter rear fuselage needed to allow the new canopy to be installed.

5 Westland Lysander 4 Bristol Blenheim 4 Hawker Hurricane Advanced Air Striking Force (12 squadrons) 8 Fairey Battle 2 Bristol Blenheim 2 Hawker Hurricane The two letters in () are the squadron

aircraft wasn't a completely new idea as when the Hawker Typhoon entered service on the 11th September 1941 they resembled the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 when viewed from certain angles leading to a few 'friendly

Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane along with the Red Arrows to fly in formation with the visiting Lancaster, however bad weather put paid to this happening. Despite the bad weather, after around

Bristol, General Aircraft and Hawker all considered the proposal but no submissions were made. Supermarine showed no interest and it looked like the project would go no further. The Air Ministry's Director

could be catapulted from ships although in the end Hawker Hurricanes would fulfil this role. With the Fulmar seeing service in all theatres of war it provided the Royal Navy with a reliable long-range

squadrons comprising a number of aircraft including the Hawker Tempest Mk II and the de Havilland Hornet, when it became available. Alongside this the Australian First Tactical Air Force, equipped with