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Destination’s Journey

It’s About the Journey Not Just the Destination

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Hawker Hurricane Mk IV equipped for anti-tank and ground attack roles, parked on an unidentified airfield, June 1943

Hawker Hurricane Mk IV

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Hawker Hurricane Mk IV

The Hawker Hurricane Mark IV was the final major ground-attack and close-support version of the famous British fighter. Developed in 1942, it evolved from the earlier Mk II series, but was modified to better withstand the demands of low-level operations. The Mk IV was characterised by its strengthened wing, capable of carrying a wide variety of external stores, and by its enhanced armour protection for the pilot and vital aircraft systems. Its introduction coincided with the RAF’s increasing need for a rugged, reliable aircraft capable of operating in the fighter-bomber and anti-armour role.

The most notable change was the adoption of a “universal wing” design, which could be configured to carry either two 40 mm Vickers S cannons (one under each wing, typically with only two .303 in Browning machine guns retained for sighting and ranging), or a pair of 250 lb or 500 lb bombs, or combinations of 3-inch rocket projectiles. This flexibility made the Hurricane Mk IV a potent weapon against both soft-skinned and armoured ground targets. The added armour, however, made the aircraft heavier and reduced its overall speed and manoeuvrability compared to earlier marks.

The type was employed in several theatres: in North Africa and the Mediterranean for ground-attack missions; in Burma and the Far East for close support in jungle campaigns; and in Northern Europe against German armour and transport.

Production of the Mk IV totalled around 524 aircraft, built between 1942 and 1944. Although relatively few compared to earlier marks, these aircraft were heavily used in specialised squadrons dedicated to ground-attack work.

RAF and Commonwealth squadrons that operated the Hurricane Mk IV included:

  • No. 6 Squadron RAF (“The Flying Tin Openers”), famed for its anti-tank role in North Africa.
  • No. 7 Squadron SAAF (South African Air Force).
  • No. 20 Squadron RAF (Burma).
  • No. 28 Squadron RAF (Burma).
  • No. 42 Squadron RAF (Burma).
  • No. 113 Squadron RAF (Burma).
  • No. 137 Squadron RAF.
  • No. 164 Squadron RAF.
  • No. 184 Squadron RAF.
  • No. 438 Squadron RCAF.
  • No. 440 Squadron RCAF.
  • No. 607 Squadron RAF (Burma).
  • No. 615 Squadron RAF.
  • Several other RAF and Dominion squadrons also briefly employed the Mk.IV for training and operational duties.

Specifications – Hawker Hurricane Mk IV

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 32 ft 3 in (9.84 m)
  • Wingspan: 40 ft (12.19 m)
  • Height: 13 ft 1 in (4.0 m)
  • Wing area: 257.5 sq ft (23.92 m²)
  • Empty weight: 6,700 lb (3,039 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 8,000 lb (3,629 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 24 or Merlin 27, 1,620 hp (1,208 kW)
  • Maximum speed: 326 mph (525 km/h) at 13,000 ft (4,000 m)
  • Range: 460 mi (740 km) with bombs
  • Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
  • Armament:
    • Standard: 2 × 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns (for sighting).
    • Optional: 2 × 40 mm Vickers S cannon with 15 rounds each; or up to 2 × 500 lb (227 kg) bombs; or 8 × 3-inch (76 mm) rocket projectiles.
Pilots of 32 Sqn watch a Hawker Hurricane Mk IV of 6 Sqn as it prepares to take off from Araxos, Greece, on a sortie.
Pilots of 32 Sqn watch a Hawker Hurricane Mk IV of 6 Sqn as it prepares to take off from Araxos, Greece, on a sortie.
Hawker Hurricane Mk IVs (KX413 FJ-H nearest) of 164 Sqn undergoing servicing at Middle Wallop Hampshire Armed with 40mm Vickers S
Hawker Hurricane Mk IVs (KX413 FJ-H nearest) of 164 Sqn undergoing servicing at Middle Wallop Hampshire Armed with 40mm Vickers S
Hawker Hurricane Mark IV, KZ193, fitted with two 40mm Vickers Type 'S' guns and a Vokes tropical filter, on the ground.
Hawker Hurricane Mark IV, KZ193, fitted with two 40mm Vickers Type ‘S’ guns and a Vokes tropical filter, on the ground.
Hurricane Mark IV, KZ188 C, of No. 6 Squadron RAF being refuelled, amid other aircraft of the Squadron
Hurricane Mark IV, KZ188 C, of No. 6 Squadron RAF being refuelled, amid other aircraft of the Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk IV HL257
Hawker Hurricane Mk IV HL257
Hawker Hurricane Mk IV, LF498 R, of No. 6 Sqn RAF coming in to land at Araxos, Greece
Hawker Hurricane Mk IV, LF498 R, of No. 6 Sqn RAF coming in to land at Araxos, Greece
Hawker Hurricane Mk IV of 6 Sqn being serviced in Italy probably Foggia Main, prior to a sortie over the Adriatic
Hawker Hurricane Mk IV of 6 Sqn being serviced in Italy probably Foggia Main, prior to a sortie over the Adriatic
Hawker Hurricane Mk IV equipped for anti-tank and ground attack roles, parked on an unidentified airfield, June 1943
Hawker Hurricane Mk IV equipped for anti-tank and ground attack roles, parked on an unidentified airfield, June 1943
Hawker Hurricane Mark IV fighter-bomber in flight, August 1945
Hawker Hurricane Mark IV fighter-bomber in flight, August 1945
Hawker Hurricane Mk IV fighter-bomber (No KX877), parked on an airfield, April 1943
Hawker Hurricane Mark IV fighter-bomber (No KX877), parked on an airfield, April 1943
Groundcrew of 42 Sqn camouflaging Hawker Hurricane Mk IV KX802 AW-B in dispersal points at Onbauk Burma
Groundcrew of 42 Sqn camouflaging Hawker Hurricane Mk IV KX802 AW-B in dispersal points at Onbauk Burma
A rocket-carrying Hawker Hurricane Mark IV of 221 Group taxies to its take-off point at a forward airfield in Central Burma
A rocket-carrying Hawker Hurricane Mark IV of 221 Group taxies to its take-off point at a forward airfield in Central Burma
Ground crew refuelling and preparing Hawker Hurricane Mark IVs of No. 6 Squadron RAF for operations at Araxos, Greece.
Ground crew refuelling and preparing Hawker Hurricane Mark IVs of No. 6 Squadron RAF for operations at Araxos, Greece.
Ground crew rolling drums of petrol to Hawker Hurricane Mk IVs of 6 Sqn during refuelling operations at Araxos, Greece.
Ground crew rolling drums of petrol to Hawker Hurricane Mk IVs of 6 Sqn during refuelling operations at Araxos, Greece.
Armourers fit rocket-projectiles to Hawker Hurricane Mark IVs of No. 170 Wing in a dispersal on an airfield in Burma.
Armourers fit rocket-projectiles to Hawker Hurricane Mark IVs of No. 170 Wing in a dispersal on an airfield in Burma.
60-lb rocket projectile for loading onto a Hawker Hurricane Mk IV in Central Burma
60-lb rocket projectile for loading onto a Hawker Hurricane Mk IV in Central Burma
Pilots of A Flight 42 Sqn study target maps in a clearing at Onbauk, Burma, before an operation in support of 14th Army
Pilots of A Flight 42 Sqn study target maps in a clearing at Onbauk, Burma, before an operation in support of 14th Army
Groundcrew wheel 3-inch rocket projectiles past re-armed Hawker Hurricane Mk IVs of 351 (Yugoslav) Sqn at Prkos, Yugoslavia
Groundcrew wheel 3-inch rocket projectiles past re-armed Hawker Hurricane Mk IVs of 351 (Yugoslav) Sqn at Prkos, Yugoslavia
Hawker Hurricane Mk IV, Balkan Air Force, 1944-45
Damage to the tailplane of a Hawker Hurricane Mk IV, Balkan Air Force, 1944-45
Yugoslav Hawker Hurricane Mk.IV
Yugoslav Hawker Hurricane Mk.IV
Yugoslav Hawker Hurricanes
Yugoslav Hawker Hurricanes