The latest of the great trio of British single-engined fighters, the Typhoon is no longer on the secret list, although several of its details have not yet been generally released.
Built by Hawkers and designed by Sidney Camm (who designed the Hurricane) the Typhoon has “got something”. It has, in fact, many things. Any aircraft which can top 400mph, climb to over 6 miles faster than most machines, punch like a Louis, and change direction right and left quicker than the Brigade of Guards can safely claim to be the answer to the pilot’s prayer.
It has the largest wing span of any fighter in existence, the highest powered engine – and, consequently, the largest radiator.
Manufacturers: Hawker Aircraft Ltd..
Type: British single-seat fighter developed from the Hurricane.
Engine: Napier “Sabre” 24-cylinder sleeve-valve H type engine of 2,200 hp (liquid cooled in-line)
Speed: Secret – but unofficial figures give over 400mph.
Range: Not released – unofficial estimate approximately 650 miles.
Ceiling: Not released – unofficial estimate 35,000ft.
Rate of climb: Not released – unofficial estimate 3,000 feet per minute.
Armament: 12 Browning machine guns (6 in each wing), or 6 20mm cannons (3 in each wing).
Dimensions: Span: 41ft 7in, length: 31ft 8in, height: 12ft 6in, wing area: 253 sq ft.
Construction: Steel spar wings, stressed skin covering; tail unit and fuselage: steel structure, stressed skin covering; retractable undercarriage.
Distinguishing features: Low-wing monoplane with simple tail unit amd retractable undercarriage. Very short, stubby pointed nose, with deep radiator underneath. Wing plan equal taper to broad, rounded tips, and wings have cranked appearance in approaching view. Tail plane is set fairly high and has straight leading edge, well-rounded tips and pronounced taper on the trailing edge. Fin and rudder has curved leading edge and straight trailing edge and protrudes well behind the tail-plane and bottom of fuselage (anti-spin fin). The underneath is unbroken with the exception of large radiator under nose.
Summary of recognition features: Short, blunted appearance of nose with huge radiator underneath.
Reproduced from 'The Recognition of Operational Aircraft' by Captain GB Ransford and published in late 1943/early 1944 (price 3 shillings and sixpence).