Hawker Typhoon 1B (MN235)

Hawker Typhoon 1B (MN235)  [@ RAF Hendon]

Sabre IIB engineA cantilever low-wing monoplane of basically all-metal stressed-skin construction with a retractable tail wheel, the Hawker Typhoon was designed in response to a 1937 RAF requirement for an aircraft capable of taking on heavily armed and armoured escort fighters like the Messerschmitt Bf 110The Typhoon was designed as a natural successor to the Hurricane and bore a considerable resemblance in plan.  In fact, two separate designs were submitted, the Type R and Type N.  A Rolls-Royce Vulture engine powered the Type R; it flew in prototype form as the Tornado in October 1939, but was abandoned when production of the Vulture engine was curtailed.  A 2100hp Napier Sabre H-type in-line engine powered the Type N, named Typhoon, and the first of two prototypes flew for the first time on 24th February 1940.  The first production aircraft, however, did not fly until May 1941, and teething troubles with the type kept 56 Squadron, the first Typhoon squadron, non-operational until the end of May 1942.  The Sabre was intended to exceed 2000 hp.  Liquid-cooled sleeve valves and a 24-cylinder flat "H" configuration were adopted by Frank Halford, the designer, to keep the engine compact.  However, it proved complex and troublesome to develop.  56 Squadron, together with 609 and 266, formed the Duxford Wing which was engaged in air defence duties against low-level intruders.  At the time of its introduction in 1941 it was the first 400 mph fighter in the RAF and proved a match for the low level tip-and-run Focke-Wulf Fw190s.  The Typhoon IA, which was armed with 12 x 7.7mm (0.303in) machine guns and powered by the Sabre I, was now giving way to the IB, whose four 20mm (0.79in) cannon proved highly effective in the ground attack role and which was powered by a somewhat more reliable 2180hp Sabre II engine.  (Sabre IIB engine - right).

Hawker Typhoon 1B (MN235)

Hawker Typhoon 1B (MN235)  [@ RAF Hendon]

Typhoon 1As had poor pilot visibility, and later variants had a clear bubble-type sliding canopy, which was a vast improvement.  Although the Typhoon continued to have problems well into 1943 when they were finally rectified, and its future still hung in the balance, its prowess against the Luftwaffe's low-level intruders tipped the scales in its favour.  By the end of 1943, with the aircraft's technical problems cured and the growing number of Typhoon squadrons - now carrying a pair of 226kg (5001b) bombs or eight under wing rocket projectiles on their aircraft in addition to the built-in cannon armament - striking hard at the enemy's communications, shipping and airfields, the Typhoon was heading for its place in history as the most potent Allied fighter-bomber of all.  After the Allied landings in Normandy, the name of the rocket-armed Typhoon became synonymous with the break up of an enemy counter-attack at Mortain and the destruction of the retreating German army at Falaise.  In the last days of the war, having supported the Canadian 1st and British 2nd Armies in their drive through northwest Europe, its final actions were against enemy shipping in the Baltic.

Hawker Typhoon 1B (MN235)

Hawker Typhoon 1B (MN235)  [@ RAF Hendon]

With the end of the war in Europe the Typhoon's specialised role was finished and it quickly disappeared from service after just four years.  In all 3330 Typhoons were built by Gloster except for the two prototypes, five 1As and 10 1Bs.   The IB was the major production version, over 3000 being completed.   About 60 per cent of these had bubble-type canopies in place of the original frame-type cockpit hood and car-type access door.

MN235 is believed to be the only surviving Typhoon.    Built under subcontract by the Gloster Aeroplane Company and first flown on the 8th February 1944 MN235 entered RAF service on the 16th February 1944.   Immediately placed into storage with 51 MU Lichfield, Staffs, MN235 was shipped a month later to the USA for flight evaluation trials.   The USAAF wished to investigate the Typhoons' potential in the fighter-bomber role and to increase its fuel capacity.   MN235 was to be evaluated at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio but due to changing requirements MN235 did not undertake the test programme originally envisaged and following a minor accident, after only nine hours of flying, was placed into storage.   On the 3rd January 1949 MN235 was allocated to the National Air Museum and eventually placed in crated storage at the reserve collection of the Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC.   Apparently MN235 was never on public display whilst in the USA.   In July 1967 MN235 was presented to the RAF Museum by the Smithsonian Institution and shipped back to the UK on the 4th January 1968.   A Hawker Hurricane IIc, LF686, was given in exchange by the RAF in 1969.   Refurbished by 27 MU at RAF Shawbury in late1968 and then placed into storage, MN235 has been at Hendon since the Museum opened in 1972. 

Hawker Typhoon 1B (JP843)

Hawker Typhoon 1B (JP843)  [@ RAF Shawbury]

The aim of the project is to build, by using as many original parts as possible, a replica of a late series 1B.  The cockpit, rear spar, fishplate joints, flying controls and most cockpit fittings are all original Typhoon parts.  The front spar has been adapted from a Hawker Tempest and the canopy a Hawker Sea Fury.  The portside fuselage panel actually came from Typhoon JP843.  Other parts found so far are undercarriage legs, top cowling, main wheels, tail wheel and leg, elevators, spinner, propellers and a complete radio kit.  A Napier Sabre power plant is now required.

 Hawker Typhoon 1B (JP843)    Hawker Typhoon 1B (JP843)

Hawker Typhoon 1B (JP843)  [@ RAF Shawbury]