The author’s Typhoon 1b, R7752, being flown by Sqn Ldr Paul Richey.

A characteristically splendid portrait of Typhoon IB JP682 (with serial blanked off) by renowned aviation photographer Charles E. Brown. By early 1944, with the Allied invasion of occupied Europe imminent, it was imperative that the various modifications to the Typhoon maximised pilots’ confidence in it as a fighting machine.
A production cannon-armed Typhoon Ib, probably JP682, on test from Gloster's Hucclecote factory in 1942, photographed by the late Charles E. Brown. The wartime censor has obliterated the Typhoon's serial number.

Typhoon Ib MN180 at Hucclecote in January 1944.

Close-up of R7752 clearly shows the metalwork interfering with the pilot’s vision. The nose panel of this aircraft can be seen in the RAF Museum at Hendon.

The second prototype Typhoon, P5216, modified with four 20mm cannon as the prototype 1b. Note the total lack of rear vision. The first flight of this aircraft was made from Langley on May 3, 1941.

Early production Typhoon IA R7578 photographed at Hucclecote in 1941. Gloster Aircraft undertook all main production of the Typhoon at Hucclecote and the first production aircraft, R7576, was flown by Michael Daunt on May 27, 1941. Production of the Typhoon reached its peak in 1944 when 1,165 airframes were built.

Typical of the damage often sustained and survived by Typhoon on ground attack missions. Plt Off John Skett of 609 Sqn flew this aircraft back to base in March 1942.

J. H. Clark's classic cutaway drawing of the Hawker Typhoon Ib.