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Of course the Martlet was the better aircraft for RN carrier ops over the Hurricane because the former has folding wings. The latter was thus unable to operate from all three Illustrious class or Hermes. Only the wider forward lift on HMS Ark Royal (had she survived long enough) and Indomitable could accommodate the Sea Hurricane, at a 45' angle. All three Outrageous class, both Implacables, Eagle and Argus could also fit the Sea Hurricane.
But for ruggedness, I'd argue the Sea Hurricane has the Wildcat matched. Looking at vids of the Sea Hurricane, my impression was it was also sufficiently rugged for carrier ops. Of course they're both better than the Seafire.
Hawker Sea Hurricane carrier take off and landings
I've got an old airfix book which shows the internal structure of the Hurricane. A rearward fold looks quite a simple option. Of course, a deck park on outriggers and dismantled Sea Hurricanes below deck gives you just as many fighters as would be feasible with the Wildcat. Moreover, all you need is a conversion kit to turn a Hurricane into a Sea Hurricane, and Hurricanes are available almost everywhere in the British Empire.Ark Royal had small (22x45ft) lifts. Of the newer fleet carriers, only Indomitable and the two Implacable class had larger lifts. Victorious used Sea Hurricanes during Pedestal via a permanent deck park.
Hawker had a folding wing design prepared for the Sea Hurricane.
Yes, a navalised Spitfire was considered by the Admiralty pre-WW2. The discussion were in 1939, or even 1938. The discussions also involved the Hurricane, which the Admiralty considered of marginal use because it would struggle to intercept the Ju 88.
Supermarine prepared several navalised Spitfire proposals, including ones with folding wings and one with a completely new wing.
It was calculated that each Seafire would cost 2 Spitfires in production, which was not acceptable for the RAF.
Eventually the FAA got the Sea Hurricane and later the Seafire.
Ark had three rectangular lifts, two of 45ft by 22ft and one of 45ft by 25ft. The forward larger one should be able to fit a non-folded Hurricane.... Had she not sunk beforehand of course.Ark Royal had small (22x45ft) lifts. Of the newer fleet carriers, only Indomitable and the two Implacable class had larger lifts.
Ark had three rectangular lifts, two of 45ft by 22ft and one of 45ft by 25ft. The forward larger one should be able to fit a non-folded Hurricane.... Had she not sunk beforehand of course.
Not great, but better than a Seafire or Corsair.How was the view over the nose of the Sea Hurricane? Acceptable enough, I assume, for carrier landings?
You should be able to do a rearward fold similar to the Fulmar easily enough, but the money would be better spent putting folding wings on a Spitfire. In the interim, you could put folding wing Martlets on Ark Royal and the Illustrious class and Sea Hurricanes on all the others. Remember too, that it's not before mid 1942 does either the definitive production Corsair or the brand new Hellcat fly. So buy 100 folding wing Martlet II's and 220 Martlet IV's. The production Corsair, brand new Hellcat and folding wing Seafire III all fly first in 1942.A Sea Hurricane measures 40 x 31.4ft. I'm not sure how it would fit into a 45 x 25ft lift and during trials aboard Ark Royal it was stated that it would not fit, unless the outer wing panels were removed ( See Jones, FAA in the 2nd WW, V1).
Yes, a navalised Spitfire was considered by the Admiralty pre-WW2. The discussion were in 1939, or even 1938. The discussions also involved the Hurricane, which the Admiralty considered of marginal use because it would struggle to intercept the Ju 88.
Supermarine prepared several navalised Spitfire proposals, including ones with folding wings and one with a completely new wing.
It was calculated that each Seafire would cost 2 Spitfires in production, which was not acceptable for the RAF.
Eventually the FAA got the Sea Hurricane and later the Seafire.
You should be able to do a rearward fold similar to the Fulmar easily enough, but the money would be better spent putting folding wings on a Spitfire. In the interim, you could put folding wing Martlets on Ark Royal and the Illustrious class and Sea Hurricanes on all the others. Remember too, that it's not before mid 1942 does either the definitive production Corsair or the brand new Hellcat fly. So buy 100 folding wing Martlet II's and 220 Martlet IV's. The production Corsair, brand new Hellcat and folding wing Seafire III all fly first in 1942.
How was the view over the nose of the Sea Hurricane? Acceptable enough, I assume, for carrier landings?
Fairey was not asked for a Sptfire.IIRC Fairey was asked to build a naval Spitfire. Fairey responded withe the Firefly which got a contract.
With a projected top speed IIRC similar to the Seafire they had been asked to build. Yes, to replace the Fulmar.Fairey was not asked for a Sptfire.
The Firefly was always intended as a two seat naval fighter/recon, to replace the Fulmar.
Did Fairey have any experience in building high performance, monoplane aircraft. That seems more of a Hawker or in the postwar period a Blackburn or deHavilland project.Fairey was not asked for a Sptfire.
The Firefly was always intended as a two seat naval fighter/recon, to replace the Fulmar.
They built the Fulmar and the Fantome.Did Fairey have any experience in building high performance, monoplane aircraft. That seems more of a Hawker or in the postwar period a Blackburn or deHavilland project.
Did Britain consider other options than the Spitfire for the FAA? The RN needs a new fighter, eventually one introduced in April 1943 with folding wings. If the Air Ministry or WC prevented a navalized Spitfire would this simply be greater and earlier deployment of the Firefly? What happens to the Sea Hurricane? Was the Typhoon and its unreliable Sabre considered?
Did Fairey have any experience in building high performance, monoplane aircraft. That seems more of a Hawker or in the postwar period a Blackburn or deHavilland project.
It's a completely different aircraft with different intended roles.With a projected top speed IIRC similar to the Seafire they had been asked to build. Yes, to replace the Fulmar.