Hurricane Rockets

[EagleDNY]

While looking over the Sea Hurricane thread below, I read that Hurricane IIc wing models are rocket capable after 1942.
I don't fly the Hurricane much myself, but it probably should have the 8 x 3 inch rockets as a loadout option.



(Note rockets under left wing)

[Karnak]

3" would be American.  Wouldn't it be using the 60lb British rockets?

[EagleDNY]

3" would be American.  Wouldn't it be using the 60lb British rockets?

The British RP3 (60 lb warhead) model is a 3" (76mm) rocket.
http://www.tarrif.net/wwii/guides/a2g_rockets_2.htm

Although you can make the case that the earlier sea-hurricanes were using the 25lb warhead model against submarines and not the 60lb warhead model (which was a later development for use vs land targets).
The IIc land attack models would have been using the RP3 though.

[bustr]

Your picture is from Wiki and thats a Hurri IV universal wing type. The rockets are nice but the IV was reduced to 2 .303. Not alot to furball with after you get off those rockets.

Typical war loads were:

2x 40 mm guns, 1 x 40mm gun and 4 RP’s, 8 RP’s, 4 RP’s and one 44 gallon drop tank, 1 500 lb bomb, and 2 RP’s. Bombs and fuel tanks could also be carried. In combat the mixed RP and drop tank loads seem to have been most common in Italy/Balkans, with single armament loads most common in Burma and operations from the UK. The mixed loads could be placed on either wing.

Here is the Wiki blurb from the section you pulled the picture.

Hurricane Mk IV
The last major change to the Hurricane was the introduction of the "universal Wing", a single design able to mount two 250 lb or 500 lb (110 or 230 kg) bombs, two 40 mm (1.57 in) Vickers S guns, drop tanks or eight "60 pounder" RP-3 rockets. Two .303 in Brownings were fitted to aid aiming of the heavier armament.[78] The new design also incorporated the improved Merlin 24 or 27 engines of 1,620 hp (1,208 kW), equipped with dust filters for desert operations. The Merlin 27 had a redesigned oil system that was better suited to operations in the tropics, and which was rated at a slightly lower altitude in keeping with the Hurricane's new role as a close-support fighter. The radiator was deeper and armoured. Additional armour was also fitted around the engine.[79]

[Fish42]

This is a picture from the book "Escort Carrier - HMS Vindex at War" by Kenneth Poolman."

In the book it talks about a SeaHurri Rocket attack on a Uboat, that had been attacking russain convoys. The serials of the AC that took part where H/NF732, Q/JS272 and F/DX126.

From what I can recall, the cannons where not removed on some planes and on others the 2 outboard 20mms where removed. I think this might have been a pilots preferance.

Some more information, I just found (will try to verify)

Sea Hurricane Mk.Is fell into three classes
Mk.Ia - catapult spools but no arrester hooks. These were used on the CAM ships.
Mk.Ib - catapult spools and arrester hooks. These were used on the fleet carriers such as Indomitable, Eagle and Victorious.
Mk.Ic - no catapult spools but with arrester hooks. These were for use on escort carriers. This last information comes from a BAe source, and I've not found supporting evidence of any such airfames. There have been statements that the designation was used for Mk.Is with four cannon, but despite claims that 100 of these were built and some used on Operation Pedestal, it seems that only one or two prototype examples were tested, and these reverted to standard armament because of the weight of the weaponry.

There were two classes of Sea Hurricane Mk.II - the Mk.IIb (including Mk.XIIb) with 12 303s and the Mk.IIc which had four cannon. This reflects RAF terminology. However, these aircraft were only used from escort carriers without accelerators. It is quite possible that they did not possess spools, but certainly looking at a Mk.Ib will not be of any assistance.

[EagleDNY]

OK - perhaps this is a better picture of it - the sea hurricane with 4 x 20mm and rockets mounted:



When you look at these rockets though, you notice they don't have the bulged warheads typical of the RP3 though.

[DMVIAGRA]

+1

I don't fly the Hurri too much, but it's a good plane. Needs more crap to carry.

[Guppy35]

But again it's about a 4 cannon bird.  Take the Tiffie with Rockets

That Sea Hurri would never have been set up that way if running into another airplane was part of the deal.  As with the Mk IV with just rockets and sighting 303s, it was not meant to be an air to air bird.

[Devonai]

By the same argument, nobody would ever fly with the IID.

Oh, wait...

[AWwrgwy]

By the same argument, nobody would ever fly with the IID.

Oh, wait...

...And the question would be: "Why does one fly the IID?"

To dogfight?

 


wrongway

[EagleDNY]

But again it's about a 4 cannon bird.  Take the Tiffie with Rockets

That Sea Hurri would never have been set up that way if running into another airplane was part of the deal.  As with the Mk IV with just rockets and sighting 303s, it was not meant to be an air to air bird.

1.  Can't take a Tiffie off a CV - that loadout with the 4-Cannons and the Rockets if for Sub Hunting (or perhaps PT Boat Hunting in our case).
2.  I think that 4-cannon + rockets loadout works just fine if you are worried about Subs, FW-200s, Stukas, and JU88s working over your convoy.
3.  Rockets on a Hurricane is a REAL loadout - both on land and sea.  No reason why we shouldn't have it as an option for the Hurricane drivers.

[Guppy35]

Rocket Hurri IV did not have cannons.  We have seen those same photos as the one example of a cannon armed Sea Hurri with rockets.  It is a bit like the few images we see of 4 cannon spitfire V.  Minimal use in a non air to air environment. 

I guess my beef with the wish is the real intent is being hidden by the pretense of historical use.

Just say you want a four cannon hurri with rockets of a carrier to make base taking easier.

[Karnak]

Rocket Hurri IV did not have cannons.  We have seen those same photos as the one example of a cannon armed Sea Hurri with rockets.  It is a bit like the few images we see of 4 cannon spitfire V.  Minimal use in a non air to air environment. 

I guess my beef with the wish is the real intent is being hidden by the pretense of historical use.

Just say you want a four cannon hurri with rockets of a carrier to make base taking easier.

Or ask for the Fairey Firefly.

[EagleDNY]

Rocket Hurri IV did not have cannons.  We have seen those same photos as the one example of a cannon armed Sea Hurri with rockets.  It is a bit like the few images we see of 4 cannon spitfire V.  Minimal use in a non air to air environment. 

I guess my beef with the wish is the real intent is being hidden by the pretense of historical use.

Just say you want a four cannon hurri with rockets of a carrier to make base taking easier.

I just don't see the 4-Cannon Sea Hurricane with 4 x RP3 rockets as being all that uber off a carrier - it isn't like we are suggesting they add the Spiteful or something.  We added rockets to the Tiffies, and even did the alternate 4 rocket loadout with wing tanks on those without disturbing the universe too much, so I just don't see the Sea Hurricane being all that much of a game changer.  As for the "non-air to air environment", I would ask how many F6Fs or F4Us ever took off from a CV with 2 x 1000 lb bombs and rockets strapped on the wings intended for the air-to-air role.
Frankly, the 4-Cannon Sea Hurricane itself would be a good addition, with or without the rocket armament, but I submit we have shown photos of rocket armament on the Sea Hurricane, and you can go read the war diary of the HMS Vindex and they talk about rocket armed Sea Hurris attacking u-boats. 

Here is yet another photo of a Sea Hurricane -


It is a bit tougher to pick out, but you can definitely make out the 4 cannon armament in this Sea Hurri as well.  Interesting thing I see here is that I can see a tail wheel, but no arresting hook. 


 

[Guppy35]

It's more then likely a Hurricane IC.  A bit of digging turned up that the cannon armed Hurri that actually fired it's guns in anger was the IC that was around in small numbers.  No rockets on that one however. 

Interesting to note the last operational Sea Hurri's were replaced by Wildcats.

Again, I'm all for a Sea Hurri IA or B, and would also enjoy a IIA or B for event use as the 4 cannon bird tends to make everyone run away