Monday, December 9, 2019

Hawker Tornado

The Tornado was designed as the replacement for the Hawker Hurricane and was based around the Rolls Royce Vulture motor a 24 cylinder engine in an X  format. The engine had many development problems and the lack of resources during 1941 meant that Rolls Royce was concentrating on manufacturing and developing the Merlin. The first prototype was destroyed in an accident. 
The aircraft pictured is the second prototype in late 1941, outfitted as a testbed for the Bristol Centaurus radial engine. The "P" on the fuselage signifies prototype. The program was cancelled but led to the development of the Hawker Tempest.

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