The slip-wing Hurricane in flight as a biplane. The upper, auxiliary wing was never jettisoned in the air, but the Hurricane handled well with the extra wing area and was tested at up to 300 m.p.h.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hillson FH.40 Hurricane - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

This flying shot of the Hurricane shows the similar planforms of upper and lower wings.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hillson FH.40 Hurricane - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

The slip wing was supported on N-struts which engaged with release gear within the lower centre-section/outer wing panel joints. Sideways movement was prevented by two bracing struts between the upper wing and the fuselage. All the struts were designed to be jettisoned in company with the upper wing.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hillson FH.40 Hurricane - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

An air-to-air front view of the slip-wing Hurricane, showing the large gap and the absence of any bracing outboard of the centre-section.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hillson FH.40 Hurricane - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

Hurricane 321's slip wing was an all-wooden, expendable structure built around two box spars and skinned with ply. It more than doubled the aircraft’s wing area, and was intended to enable the fighter to take off with a vastly increased fuel load, thereby increasing its range for long-distance ferry flights. Had the slip-wing concept been a success, sights like this would have been common and discarded wings would have been fluttering down all over the place. As it was, the external fuel tank proved a much more sensible proposition, both practically and economically.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hillson FH.40 Hurricane - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

The Canadian serial 321, just visible on the original of this photograph, led to the Hurricane being confused with RAF aircraft AG321 throughout its experimental career. Its original British serial number was L1884.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hillson FH.40 Hurricane - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hillson FH.40 Hurricane - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

A front view of the aircraft, probably at Boscombe.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hillson FH.40 Hurricane - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942