Hawker Hornet / F.20/27

Hawker Fury I и II

История создания истребителя-биплана Fury началась в 1927 году, когда Министерство авиации выпустило техническое задание F.20/27 на истребитель-перехватчик. Хотя представленный компанией "Hawker" прототип был оснащен звездообразным двигателем Bristol Jupiter мощностью 450 л. с. (336 кВт), как того требовало задание, фирме не удалось получить контракт на серийное производство. Тем не менее полученный при его создании опыт пригодился компании, когда дневной бомбардировщик Hart продемонстрировал, что истребительные силы Британии вооружены устаревшими самолетами. Понимание этого факта привело к ускоренной разработке (в инициативном порядке) прототипа нового истребителя, которому "Hawker" присвоила название Hornet. На этой машине Сидней Кэмм решил отказаться от использования звездообразного двигателя, в котором было так заинтересовано Министерство авиации, и установить рядный V-образный Rolls-Royce F.XIS (позднее названный Kestrel). Этот самолет и стал прототипом Fury, купленным Министерством авиации, которое присвоило ему новое обозначение в соответствии принятой тогда в ВВС номенклатурой.
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Flight, June 1929

BRITISH AIRCRAFT AT OLYMPIA

THE H. G. HAWKER ENGINEERING CO., LTD.

OF the three complete aircraft to be exhibited on the Hawker stand one will be the "Tomtit" two-seater training machine, while the other two will be a "Hart" day-bomber and a "Hornet" single-seater interception fighter, respectively. Air Ministry restrictions prevent a very detailed reference to the two military types, particularly the "Hornet."
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Concerning the Hawker "Hornet," but little may be said beyond the fact that it is a single-seater interception fighter, designed to deal with the modern fast day-bomber. In external appearance the "Hornet" is one of the most "eyeable" machines produced in recent times. It is of all-metal construction and fitted with Rolls-Royce F.XI S engine. No performance figures may be quoted, but the "Hornet" is claimed to be the fastest single-seater fighter in the world.

Interceptor Fighter F.20/27 was re-engined with a 450-h.p. Mercury radial after brief trials at Martlesham Heath. Top speed was 218 m.p.h. at 10,500 ft. at loaded weight of 3,178 lb. Span was 30 ft., length 23 ft. 8 1/4 in.

This view of the actual full-size "Hornet" serves as a comparison with the illustration above of the model in the same position

The unmarked Hawker Hornet photographed at Brooklands in January 1929. It was the true Fury prototype and later took up the serial number J9682.

The Hawker Hornet at Brooklands in 1929, shortly after completion, with RAF insignia but lacking a military identity. Its careful streamlining, greatly helped by the choice of a water-cooled inline engine, made it an exceptionally elegant design for the time, later further enhanced by the addition of wheel fairings, or "spats".
Hornet had similar airframe but with water-cooled Rolls-Royce engine. Used throughout 1930 as Fury prototype with F.XIIS, which in production form became the famed Kestrel. Top speed 214 m.p.h. at 10,000 ft.; loaded weight 3,490 lb.; length increased to 26 ft. 8 1/2 in.

Early in 1930 J9682 flew trials with 1 Sqn; but on April 11, 1930, it collided with Siskin J9359 at 3,000ft, shed its top wing and crashed near Chichester, Sussex.

Another view of J9682 on a rainy day during its performance and handling trials at the A&AEE at Martlesham Heath, also dated February 10, 1930. The metal-panelled forward fuselage and fabric-covered rear fuselage are evident, as is the underfuselage radiator housing between the undercarriage legs.

The sole Hawker Hornet at Martlesham Heath during its official trials, bearing its military serial, J9682. The original print bears the date February 10, 1930, on the back.

A poor-quality but rare snapshot of the Hornet at Tangmere in 1930 during the Service trials and shortly before the aerial collision with a Siskin during a mock combat that put an end to its career. Fortunately its pilot, Fg Off H.S. Brake, was able to bale out, escaping with a cut face and a broken arm, having been struck by parts of the airframe during his descent.

HAWKER "HORNET" (Rolls-Royce "F").

Hawker Fury single-seater fighter.

The Hawker "FURY" Interceptor Fighter with Rolls-Royce "F" Engine has been selected for R.A.F. equipment after extensive competitive trials - further proof of the all-round superiority of Hawker aircraft.

The Hornet makes a low pass while being demonstrated at Brooklands in July 1929, probably with Hawker test pilot P.W.S. “George” Bulman at the controls. Designer Sydney Camm apparently got it right first time with the Hornet, which was built as a private venture, as few alterations were made in the production version, the Fury.

The Hawker Hornet with Rolls Royce F. engine. The fastest single seater fighter in the world.

The Hawker Stand has the distinction of exhibiting three machines never hitherto seen in public: The "Tomtit" training machine, the "Hart" day bomber recently ordered in quantities for the R.A.F., and the "Hornet," believed to be the world's fastest single-seater fighter.

A close-up of the Hornet’s forward fuselage, showing the rear of the Rolls-Royce engine to the right and the bay immediately ahead of the cockpit, with the barrels of the twin Vickers Mk III machine-guns pointing towards the front of the machine. Provision was made for 600 rounds per gun. The production Fury would retain the same armament.

Two views of Mr. Edwardes' flying scale model of the Hawker "Hornet."

The model Hawker "Hornet" just starting a successful R.O.G. flight.