Hurricane question

[Curval]

I have always been under the impression that wood formed a part of the construction of hurricanes.

Was it?

If so, where was it used?

[mechanic]

I'm think it was in the aft fuselage section. You can almost see the ribs under the skin between cockpit and tail fin. I just geussed after reading your question though. No idea.

[Rino]

     I saw a Hurri being restored, the entire fuselage aft of the cockpit
was not only wood, but every single slotted screw head was aligned
in the same direction.  There were ALOT of screws there too! 

[StokesAk]

If it was made of aluminum it wouldnt blow up so easy so im geussing wood.

[Rino]

     Here are a couple pictures of the Hurricane I saw being
restored at the NASM.  Took then over 10 years to finish!

[jocko-]

The Hurri's aft fuselage used a combination of construction styles which made it very robust. There was a tubular steel 'Warren' truss inner skeleton (visible in the shots above), surrounded by a fabric covered outer structure of wooden formers and stringers which gave the fuselage it's shape. 

[Guppy35]

Early Hurri Is also had fabric covered wings.

[Curval]

Many thanks guys.

I will pass this on.

The question was asked of me by someone on another board.  I am going to refer him here to see the pics and ask any further questions.   

[usvi]

Sure now we'll hear the excuse...you didn't hit me,it was termites!

[B3YT]

as a side not many 109 pilots didn't fire their cannons while attacking hurricane  as the cannon round would not detonate in the structure compared to an aluminium skinned plane .  Though it was susceptible to MG fire.  The wooden nature of the plane also made it very robust as wood will flex to a large degree then snap , where as aluminium Will snap rather than flex in shorter spans.

It takes a lot more to  shoot down a hurricane than a spit or P51.

[Angus]

One RAF pilot crossed 500 mph in a HurryII  (Powerdive) and merely made it out by pulling with full strength. The aircraft lost one canopy pane, the radio panel and formed a three degree dihedral to the wings.
The pull-out occured practically at ground level and since the speed gauge only goes up to 500 the actual speed is unknown.
Strong bird

[B3YT]

there was one experience  in the BoB of a hurri being chased by a 109 in a dive . As the RAF pilot pulled out of the dive he saw the 109 split in half , when landed his plane had a split also down the middle of the fuselage. He latter flew in 6 squadron (my grand dads) I read of this report in several books with it being reported by diffrent pilots who also saw it .   

[Angus]

Have heard similar stories of the Hurricane litterally "hanging" together. Now if she'd had some brush-ups for speed, what a naughty little girl she'd have been.....

By the way, same goes to the Wellington.

[B3YT]

ohh for a hurri with a slightly thinner wing and merlin 25 engine hmm

[Jing0]

The hurricanes resiliance is somewhat legendary. I used to read every book I could find by hurri pilots (luckily the local libraries had quite a few) and they all featured that kind of story.  Like the one where a hurri had large holes in its wings and tail...and the pilot didnt even know hed been shot at till he landed. Or the story of a duel between a 110 and hurri during the battle of france IIRC: they emptied their guns on each other, untill, full of holes they circled each other wandering what to do next.  The hurris 303s were bouncing of the heavy armour of the 110, and the 110s guns had but lots of holes in the hurri but not hit anything vital.  Both ended up outa ammo and went home!


I like the hurricane...