Hurricane Mk.I hatch (starboard side)?

[uhebeisen]

hello,
on the starboard side of the Hurricane there is a hatch below the cockpit window. Since the pilots enter the cockpit from the port side, I wonder what this hatch is good for? I haven't seen a photo with this hatch - or door - open (eg. like on a Spitfire, where it is on the port side).
Just wondering, maybe someone knows..

 

[Airframes]

It's the escape hatch, designed to be used in case of a bail out. This was not hinged, but held in place by two "studs". With the canopy pushed back, a lever on the inner side of the hatch released the stud pins, and the hatch would either blow out by slipstream force, or could be pushed clear.

 

[uhebeisen]

aha, this makes sense, thank you Airframes
A good reason for not having photos.

 

[Wurger]

A good reason for not having photos.

IMHO not exactly. Just a matter of paying attention to details.

the source: Hawker Hurricane part 2 | World War Photos