Sea Hurricane IA
The Sea Hurricane IA was a Hurricane Mk I modified by General Aircraft Limited. They were modified to be carried by CAM ships (catapult armed merchantman). These were cargo ships equipped with a catapult for launching an aircraft, but without facilities to recover them. Thus, if the aircraft were not in range of a land base, pilots were forced to bail out and be picked up by the ship. They were informally known as "Hurricats".
The majority of the aircraft modified had suffered wear-and-tear from serving with front line squadrons, so much so that at least one example used during trials broke-up under the stress of a catapult launching. 50 aircraft were converted from Hurricane Mk Is.
Sea Hurricane IB
Hurricane IIA Series 2 version equipped with catapult spools plus an arrester hook. From October 1941, they were used on Merchant aircraft carrier (MAC ships), which were large cargo vessels with a flight deck enabling aircraft to be launched and recovered. 340 aircraft were converted.
Sea Hurricane IC
Hurricane IIB and IIC version equipped with catapult spools, an arrester hook and the four-cannon wing. From February 1942 400 aircraft were converted.
Sea Hurricane IIC
Hurricane IIC version equipped with naval radio gear. 400 aircraft were converted and used on fleet carriers.
Sea Hurricane XIIA
Canadian-built Hurricane XIIA converted into Sea Hurricanes.
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