Abstract
INFORMATION recently released upon the Mark II type of this aeroplane is of a certain technical interest. It has become a general fighter in use, and, as such, lias now been fitted with a new series Rolls–Royce engine with a two–speed supercharger. This gives improved speed and climb at greater altitudes, while maintaining its good performance at lower heights. The principal change is in its armament, which is now four 20–mm. cannon or twelve machine guns, in the place of the original eight machine guns. The twelve machine gun type with improved performance is intended for dealing with enemy fighters when ‘in–fighting’, at short range. For this a maximum deluge of bullets for a short period is needed, while the enemy machine is in range. The cannon type is better for attacking the comparatively slow–moving bomber, shipping, or ground targets. The small individual shells are more effective against this type of target when a hit is scored, and the chances of hitting are sufficiently good as the target is comparatively slow in manœuvre, and can be kept in range more easily. Cannon fire is able to destroy enemy aircraft on the ground, armoured vehicles, and even small ships, against which machine–gun fire has been found to be not very effective. In the United States the opinion is held that even larger cannon, 37–mm. type, should be used. The heavier ammunition needed means that a smaller number of shells can be carried, and that the rate of fire is slower, but it is considered that the greater and more widespread damage from the larger shell, when it. does score a hit, more than compensates for this.
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New Hawker ‘Hurricane’ Aircraft. Nature 148, 404 (1941). https://doi.org/10.1038/148404a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/148404a0