Yes, we got the same to him. Hariton Houkerovich Pterodaktily. We have already mentioned advantages of technology, who come to us for Lend-Lease, but this is the case, when dignity will have to look for in a heap (enormous) shortcomings.
Why? because, that "Hurricane" as the plane was just terrible. And in order to realize the abyss, from which he flew in our skies, it is necessary to know a little history.
We designed it in 1943 in firm Hawker Aircraft Ltd. And while the plane was not anything new, it was an attempt to make out pretty good biplane "Fury" (not to be confused with palubnikom, he appeared in 1944 year) monoplan.
Biplane "Fury"
In developing the "Hurricane" a large number of "Fury" units and components were used, that make life easier for some manufacturers, but complicated pilots. But first things first.
The new aircraft was a monoplane, I had retractable landing gear and propeller with variable pitch. All, innovations ended. And 1936 by British pilots to get it. It seems to be a new aircraft, but…
Power frame was made with the same technology, that frame biplane "Fury", ie rivets instead of welding.
Fuselage truss, of steel pipes, spars fastened to it, covered with a linen cloth. This construction had a fairly high strength and greater resistance to, than plated Supermarine Spitfire. The wing consisted of two spars and also skin-tight fabric. Only in 1939 year to replace him developed all-metal wing of duralumin.
Here, we can estimate the thickness of the wing.
Let us now together porydat over the "backward" Soviet MiG-3 and Yak-1, percale which did not prevent war.
The plane came quite heavy, and not fast, despite the new engine Rolls-Royce PV-12, Yes, this is the "Merlin", only nedopilenny. 510 km / h at an altitude of 5000 meters and 475 below - it was not an indicator. more precisely, index, all sad. Plus frankly weak armament of eight machine guns wing 7,69 mm.
It is worth saying, that fellows British began immediately rivet modification, adapting the aircraft under various tasks.
Modification "Hurricane" could act as interceptors (something non-rapid type of "thing"), fighter-bomber (also known as «Hurribombers») and stormtroopers. For operations with aircraft carriers existed modification, called «Sea Hurricane».
Generally, Our urchin everywhere ripe, But ... but in comparison with the already embarked on the wing of the "Spitfire" it was just a flying horror.
Nevertheless, new aircraft Britons willing to share with the world. not free, naturally.
Union of South Africa, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Portugal, France, Turkey, Iran, Romania, Finland, Yugoslavia - a list of the lucky owners of this great airplane. The British general, generous people, especially when it comes to the principle of "give to others, Christ, that currently worthless ".
Not passed this cup and the Soviet Union.
To war to the beginning of World War II in France and Africa, "Hurricane" has won him such fame, that the British had to give serious thought to, which would shake off this miracle, yet give him anything. the, that "Hurricane" at all inferior to its main enemy "Messerschmitt-109 E / F, It was known to all.
But the British at that time was run-in "Spitfire", which is superior to the three heads "Hurricane". However, to write off, or go for a showdown - it's not in the rules of English gentlemen ...
At the beginning of the Great Patriotic Stalin did not have to choose at all. And the "generous" offer to supply Churchill 200 (and in the longer term) "Hurricane" was adopted. The planes were needed. And in August 1941 special, we had to plug holes 22.06.
28 August 1941 , the first "Hurricane" arrived in Murmansk. So «Kharrikyein» It went down in history as the first Allied warplane, who arrived in the USSR. Yes, Americans sent their F-40 before, but the sea while they were in the Soviet Union, "Hurricanes" flew under its own power.
more precisely, sailed, because it took them an aircraft carrier "Argus".
A further cargo vessels or its own power through Iran.
Only for 1941-44 years in the Soviet Union took 3082 Aircraft of this type (including military aircraft received 2834 cars).
It is worth saying a few words about the British airmen.
pilot group of 81 th and 134 th squadrons under the command of X. J.. Ramsbottom-Isherwood covered with Soviet pilots convoys on the way to Murmansk, and even support for Soviet bombers.
The commander of the 151 th Wing T. n. Ramsbottom-Isherwood
12 September 134 Squadron shot down two Me-109, accompanied spotter Hs-126. The British lost an aircraft, Sergeant Smith was killed. It was the only loss, incurred by the British on the Karelian Front.
17 September eight, "Hurricanes", accompanied SB-2, They were attacked by eight "Messers". The British did not let the Germans to break through to the bombers, and even shot down a Bf-109.
In late September, the British returned home. Before leaving, the wing commander and three pilots, prevail, They were presented to the Order of Lenin.
And their "Hurricane" were in the USSR. Of these aircraft and the 78th IAP was formed, which is headed by Boris Safonov.
Meanwhile, 22 September 1941 of the year, NII VVS Commission adopted the first "Hurricane", delivered directly to the Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease.
Test pilots the Air Force Institute very quickly tested the plane and issued a conclusion.
According to the test, on machine speed falls between-16 and Yak-1. His main opponent, Me-109F, "Hurricane" was inferior in speed at low and medium altitudes (on 40-50 kmh) and climb. Only at 6500-7000 m altitudes their ability to become approximately equal.
When you dive and pitching «Kharrikyein» because of the thick airfoil actually accelerated. This uniqueness noted in his memoirs many Soviet pilots. On the positive side (partly) It could be considered a small turning radius, is achieved due to the low load on the wing, that allowed to fight on the horizontals.
Very badly with the Soviet point of view was designed chassis. Despite the fairly rear alignment, kapotazhny angle was just 24 degrees with the braking, while our Air Force Institute defined minimum 26,5 city. Degree nosing became even smaller as the expenditure of ammunition and fuel.
When landing on uneven ground airfields skapotirovat danger was very high. In this case primarily wood breaking blade screw «Rotolo», that, naturally, repairs were not subject to.
Skapotirovat «Kharrikyein» could quite freely and taxiing. This fighter was generally an unpleasant tendency to raise the tail while the motor is running (In fairness it should be noted the same ability and «Jacob»). To protect the car out of trouble, often at a rear part of the fuselage planted one or two mechanic. Naturally, were cases, when pilots flew with the mechanics on the tail.
In general, nicknamed "Pterodactyl" was deserved.
But the sore spot had wooden propeller. FAQ, a very large number of aircraft stood idle because of damage to the screws. At the beginning 1942 g. our aircraft factories had to start manufacturing propellers and spare parts to them.
Nevertheless, fly and fight on something I had. AND, as though it may seem strange, but our pilots have found out that the fighter and the positive side.
The plane was simple and obedient in piloting. It was small load on the handle, effective trimmers rudders. «Kharrikyein» easily and stably perform various figures, especially in the horizontal. The whole plane was completely available to pilots of average skill, which it was important in wartime.
The big plus is a complete radio service «Harrikeynov». Not a secret, that the Soviet fighters that were supposed to put the transmitters of time for each third plane, Wing commander. And the quality was, so to speak, not subject to any criticism. "Hurricane" had a radio station (and good) every one.
However, there was a fly in the ointment. English radio worked on separate batteries, despite, that the plane had a battery. Russian Winter, especially in the context of our North, showed, that the battery lasts for a maximum of a couple of hours.
But even with all the advantages found it became clear, what «Kharrikyein» significantly inferior to the enemy fighters. But, repeat, it was necessary to fly and beat the enemy.
That is why already in 1941 , the "Hurricane" began to remodel according to the ideas and opportunities, if not to eliminate, or at least mitigate the disadvantages of the main British fighter.
In the autumn 1941 g. in the 78th IAP, on the proposal of its commander BF. Safonov first alteration was made. In fact, "Hurricanes" (as lagg-3) We began to alter in nedoshturmoviki / nedobombardirovschiki.
instead of four «Brauningov» We set up two machine guns caliber UBC 12,7 mm headroom 100 on the trunk of ammunition and added two holders under 50-kg bomb. Firepower strengthened as four rockets RS-82.
In January 1942 g. 191 m-IAP on a plane NF. Kuznetsova put two guns shvak cannon. Similar works have been held in other parts of.
established bronespinki, which did not differ a good defense, They replaced the Soviet. At first it did right in the shelves, setting bronespinki from I-16 and I-153, and then began to improve the aircraft at the factory with arms replacing.
In March 1942 g. Soviet command decided to make life easier for aircraft and pilots and stop amateur.
It was decided to complete the modernization of weapons «Harrikeynov», bringing it in line with the times.
For comparison, we produced three versions of the modified «Kharrikyeina»:
1. With four 20 mm cannons ShVAK.
2. With two ShVAK cannons and two UBT heavy machine guns.
3. With four UBT.
Option number 3 gave a hefty gain in weight and did not worsen flight performance (perhaps, there was simply nowhere to worsen further). However, option 2 was adopted as the main one..
there is an opinion, that this was primarily due to the general lack of heavy machine guns in the spring 1942 g.
Furthermore, the first batches were produced in general with four ShVAK, according to option number 1. Weapons modernization program «Kharrikyeina» it also provided for the installation of bomb racks under the wings and six guides under the RS-82.
Alteration (it's hard to call it modernization.) under domestic weapons carried out at the Moscow plant No. 81 and in the workshops of the 6th IAK PVO in Podlipki, Moscow Region.
There they were finalized as aircraft newly received from the British, and those who have already been at the front. Brigades from factory No. 81 also carried out this operation at airfields near Moscow in Kubinka, Khimki, Monine and Yegoryevsk.
interesting model: two-seat fighter-bomber with a machine gun, protecting the rear hemisphere. Made in Canada, but about a hundred of these cars came to us.
Since the mid 1942 of the year «Kharrikyein» increasingly used as a fighter-bomber or light attack aircraft. 4 guns 20 mm, 2 bombs 100 kg and 6-8 rockets - a very impressive strike power.
«Kharrikyein» with such a load, it was still easy to manage. There was only a slight deterioration in takeoff performance., but I repeat, there was no room for improvement. And the top speed was reduced by 40-42 kmh. But since the speed of the "Hurricane" did not shine initially, then for the attack aircraft 400-450 km / h was considered a sufficient figure.
1943 the year was the year of the end of the front-line service "Hurricane". He was replaced as domestic aircraft, and the same "Aircobras". AND, judging by the memoirs of the pilots, regimental commanders by hook or by crook tried to get rid of the "Pterodactyls".
So the main scope «Harrikeynov» steel parts of air defense. There «Hurricane» began to arrive since December 1941 city, but from the end 1942 g. this process has accelerated. This was facilitated by the arrival of aircraft of modification II C from England., which turned out to be even slower, than their predecessors.
Despite the seemingly impressive armament of four guns (SVAK or "Ispano" caliber 20 mm), "Hurricane" (what IIB, what IIC) showed his complete unsuitability as a fighter. But for German bombers it could still pose some kind of threat.
Although the same Junkers Ju-88 A-4 was already a hard-to-reach target. And not because of the altitude or small arms defensive weapons, and thanks to more, than the Hurricane, velocity.
It is not surprising, that most of the type IIC vehicles delivered to the USSR ended up in air defense regiments. They had, eg, 964-y iap, covering in 1943-44 Tikhvin and the Ladoga highway. If on 1 July 1943 g. in air defense was 495 «Harrikeynov», to the 1 June 1944 g. - already 711. They served there throughout the war., and not without results. Air defense pilots on "Kharitons" shot down 252 enemy aircraft.
of course, "Hurricane" could not earn recognition from Soviet pilots. Far from the most powerful (1030 hp) engine, who was only to become the famous "Merlin", was calculated for gasoline with an octane rating 100.
In practice, the Hurricanes were often filled with domestic B-70 or B-78 gasoline., at best, a mixture of B-100 and B-70. The oil was also not of the best quality.. As a result, the engine lacked power and was not very reliable..
And pilots, flying the Hurricanes, could not boast of a large number of enemy aircraft shot down. Weak machine gun armament or strong cannon armament, but the low quality of the flight has become the main obstacle to this.
The greatest number of victories at the "Hurricane" won pilots of the Northern Fleet:
Hero of the Soviet Union Captain Peter Zgibnev - 15 wins.
Hero of Soviet Union, Major Vasily Adonkin - 15 wins.
Twice Hero of the Soviet Union Boris Safronov - 12 wins.
The bulk of the good and excellent pilots prior to transplant to the Soviet or American planes were on 5-7 wins.
Summing up, Follow mark, in the winter 1941/42 , the majority of our aircraft factories were evacuated to the Urals. Aircraft production fell to a minimum, and the losses we suffered. At this point, we began to enter the American and British planes, which was very handy.
Yes, "Hurricane" was pretty lame fighting machine. But while it was better, than nothing. Processing "hammer and a file" in the end brought some fruit, and as a result of our pilots still able to fight it.
So what to say, what 3 thousands of "Hurricane" were dead burden, must not. They came to us in the most difficult time and have contributed to our victory over the enemy.
But then 1942 of the year, when it was launched production of our fighters, which surpassed "Hurricane" on the combat capabilities, "Chariton" were sent to the rear and air defense.
natural result.
Specifications Hurricane Mk.II:
Wingspan, m: 12,19
Length, m: 9,81
Height, m: 3,99
Weight, kg
- empty aircraft: 2 566
- normal take-off: 3 422
engine's type: 1 х Rolls-Royce Merlin XX х 1260 HP.
full speed, kmh: 529
practical range, km: 1480
combat range, km: 740
The maximum rate of climb, m / min: 838
Service ceiling, m: 11 125
Crew: 1
weaponry: four 20-mm cannon Hispano or Oerlikon with a common ammunition in 364 shell, or twelve 7.7-mm machine guns in earlier versions, or eight 7.7-mm machine guns.
/Roman Skomorokhov, topwar.ru/
