Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc

Plane: Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc

Mass: 3648kg

Engine: 1,300hp Merlin XX

Horsepower:  1280hp max brake horsepower

Wing Area: 23.97 meters^2

Weapons:

Ammo belting:

Hispano Suiza MkII: he, tracer, ap

Stall Speed: 128kph(79mph) clean/120kph(74mph) dirty

Best Climb Speed IAS: 245kph(152mph) IAS

Maximum Reasonable AoA: 14.5 degrees

Top Speed Chart:

WEP Top Speed: 445kph(277mph)

Climb Rate chart:

Roll Rate:

Turn Rate: (sustained) Flaps Up:   170kph(106mph), 127m(417ft) radius, 21 deg/sec

Turn Rate: (sustained) Flaps Down:  140kph(87mph), 103m(338ft) radius, 22 deg/sec

Visibility:  Good, somewhat difficult to check behind.   

Control Feel vs Speed:  Decent, but a bit overdamped, gets stiff at high speeds

WEP power boost percent: 3%

Safe WEP time: Over 10 minutes

General Comments:

As the war dragged on, the Hurricane fell further and further behind the competition.  The airframe simply wasn't aerodynamically efficient enough to benefit from increases in horsepower, thus most of the effort in keeping up with the Germans was spent on the Spitfire.  However, the Hurricane production capacity was still available (you can't simply flip a switch and switch factory production over to a completely different airplane type), and the Hurricane is a fairly rugged airframe.  In addition, the thick wings made installation of novel new armament much easier than on thinner winged aircraft like the Spitfire.

With the Hurricane Mk IIc, the British fielded their first mass-produced quad-20mm equipped fighter.  This armament would become the standard non-Spitfire weapon package the British would use on their fighters (and very late Spitfire planes also went with the quad-20mm cannon).  The later Typhoon and Tempest came with quad 20mm cannon, and many later fighters, including several US navy aircraft, carried the quad 20mm arrangement. 

In addition, the Hurricane Mk IIc can carry two bombs.  This makes it a very effective ground attack plane.  The high velocity 20mm cannon will penetrate light armor (such as Panzer II's, armored cars, Pz4d's from the rear and side, P38t side/rear armor, etc).  In addition, the high explosive rounds are effective against infantry and unarmored vehicles/anti-tank guns.  With the bombs for cracking the heavier tanks, the Hurricane Mk IIc becomes the best British close air support fighter in the game.  The only thing missing is some machineguns for general anti-infantry work.

Despite the substantial increase in engine power, the Hurricane Mk IIc cannot truly compete with the German fighters.  It is still slow, although not as slow as it's Mk I predecessor, but it is outrun by a large margin by the contemporary Luftwaffe fighters.  In addition, the Bf109F4 can turn with a Hurricane Mk IIc in a sustained stallfight. 

The reasons for this situation are the heavier engine, the much heavier armament, and addition of extra armor.  The Hurricane Mk IIc is over 1800lbs heavier than the Mk I, which degrades it's turning performance from truly excellent to just average.

However, that quad 20mm arrangement will shred any airplane it touches.  Fighters should melt when struck by a one-second burst.  Thus, when you do get to fight a fair dogfight, you should be pleasantly rewarded with a flaming wreck if you win. 

The Hurricane's horsepower boost was achieved largely by sacrificing high altitude performance.  This is not a high altitude airplane, so don't fly it at high altitudes.  Since your primary goal should be ground targets, you should be low anyway, so poor high altitude performance isn't really an issue.

Specific Matchup Comments:

Hurri2 vs Bf110C:  Target practice.  Enough said.

Hurri2 vs Bf109E4: The Bf109E4 will still beat you unless poorly flown.  Your speed gap is smaller, but these planes can still run away.  Focus on ground targets, and only engage these planes if you have to.

Hurri2 vs Bf109F4: The Bf109F4 is still too much for a Hurricane to handle, even the Mk IIc version.  Like the Bf109E4, this plane will walk all over you.  In addition, the better turning performance of the F model means that your turning edge is gone.  Avoid these planes.

Hurri2 vs Ju87b: Same principals apply as the Hurricane Mk 1, however, the Stuka handily outturns you now.  Focus on making passes then extending, as your cannon should be enough to destroy these planes if you get a good burst in.