BoB Aircraft

Royal Air Force

Hawker Hurricane I
This was the first RAF fighter to reach speeds greater than 300mph and came into service with 111 Sqn at Northolt in late 1937. Designed by Sydney Camm, the Hurricane was based on the Hawker Fury biplane. This allowed many of the existing jigs to be useed in manufacture thus permitting a faster and cheaper production process. A total of 29 fighter squadrons were equipped with Hurricanes by July 1940. While slower than the Spitfire and with an inferior rate of climb, the Hurricane proved to be more rugged and a stable gun-platform. Hurricanes accounted for more Luftwaffe aircraft losses than all other air defences combined including anti-aircraft fire. However, the Hurricane in 1940 was at the peak of its development and later modificatiions detracted from its overall performance as a fighter. Whereas the Spitfire's performance increased with each modification.

	Hurricane I
Wingspan	40ft 0in
Length	32ft 4in
Laden Weight	8,100lb
Engine	RR Merlin III 1,030hp
Ceiling	34,2000ft
Range	460 miles
Rate of Climb	3,150 fpm
Max. Speed	328mph
Armament	8X .303 Brownings
Crew	1

Supermmarine Spitfire I
Designed by R J Mitchell, the Spitfire entered service in the RAF in August 1938 with 19 Sqn at Duxford. Early MkIs had a two-bladed fixed-pitch airscrew which was soon replaced with a three-bladed two-speed version. By August 1940 most MkIs had been fitted with constant speed airscres which considerably enhanced performance. Early attempts to modify the armament from 8, .303 Brownings to 4, Browning and 2, 20mm cannon met with failure. However, the speed, handling and rate of climb was superior to the Hurricane although it could absorb far less battle dame. During the battle 19 squadrons were equipped with Spitfires. The basic design of the Spitfire was such that throughout the war moifications to wings, powerplants and armament all improved its performance.

	Spitfire I
Wingspan	36ft 10in
Length	29ft 11in
Laden Weight	6,785lb
Engine	RR Merlin II 1,440hp
Ceiling	31,900ft
Range	395 miles
Rate of Climb	3,125 fpm
Max. Speed	362 mph
Armament	8X .303 Brownings
Crew	1

Boulton Paul Defiant turret fighter

Late in 1939 the Bolton Paul Defient entered RAF service with 264 Sqn at Martlesham Heath, one of only two fighter squadrons to be equipped with this aircraft. The powerful turret armament inflicted enormous damage to bombers but the lack of forward-firing guns and poor maneuvrability was soon discovered by Luftwaffe Messerschmitts who exploited this fatal weakness. Both 264 Sqn and 141 Sqn suffered terrible losses and the Defiant was withdrawn. On 19 July, 141 Sqn from West Malling was attacked by elements of JG51 flying Bf109Es. Of the nine Defiants only two survived.The aircraft was redeployed as a night-fighter with four squadrens in late 1940 shooting down more enemy aircraft than any other type

Wingspan	39ft 4in
Length	35ft 4in
Laden Weight	8,600lb
Engine	RR Merlin XX 1,260hp
Ceiling	31,800ft
Range	480 miles
Rate of Climb	1,900 fpm
Max. Speed	315mph
Armament	4X .303 Brownings
Crew	2

Bristol Blenheim If

Entering RAF service in 1937 with 114Sqn, the first of seven squadrons to use this aircraft in the fighter configuration. At the time of it's introduction it was faster than contemporary fighters but by 1940 it was totally outmatched. The Blenheim as a fighter was not a success as it could not compete with fast single-engined fighters. The high casualty rate was not supportable and the type was withdrawn from daylight operations in July 1940. In 1941 the Blenheim IF reappeared as a night-fighter, some equipped with AI Mk III airborne interception radar. In this role they met with better success.

Wingspan	56ft 4in
Length	39ft 9in
Laden Weight
Engine	2X 840hp Bristol Mercury VIII
Ceiling	27,280ft
Range	1,125 miles
Rate of Climb
Max. Speed	285mph
Armament	6X .303 Brownings
Crew	3

Gloster Gladiator II

Entering service with the RAF in 1937 with 72 Sqn, the Gladiator was a relic from the last generation of fighters. In Norway and the battle for France Gladiators put up an heroic resistance against far superior aircraft. Only 247 Sqn RAF and 804 Sqn, Fleet Air Arm flew Gladiators during the Battle of Britain.

Wingspan	32ft in
Length	27ft 5in
Laden Weight
Engine	840hp Bristol Mercury VIII
Ceiling	33,500ft
Range	444 miles
Rate of Climb	3,200 fpm
Max. Speed	257mph
Armament	4X .303 Brownings
Crew	1

Bristol Beaufighter 1f

Wingspan	57ft 10in
Length	41ft 8in
Laden Weight	21,600
Engine	2X 1,670hp Bristol Hercules VI Radials
Ceiling	26,500ft
Range	1,480miles
Rate of Climb
Max. Speed	333mph
Armament	4X 20mm cannon 6X 0.303 rcmg
Crew	2

LUFTWAFFE

Messerschmitt Bf109E-4

B and C models of the Bf109 saw action in Spain with Condor legion in 1936. Each succesive model had more a more powerful engine and armament. Luftflotten 2, 3 and 5 included 23 Gruppen of the Bf109E-3 and E-4, (approximately 950 aircraft). by August 1940. The aircraft had an altitude advantage over both the Spitfire and Hurricane and could dive faster, the fuel injected engine permitting inverted dives. However, the aircraft was relatively fragile and the narrow track undercarriage resulted in many accidents as did the high angle of the aircraft on the ground , limiting the pilot's field of view

Wingspan	30ft 6½in
Length	29ft 7in
Laden Weight	6,100lb
Engine	DB601A 1,100hp
Ceiling	36,090ft
Range	680 miles
Rate of Climb	3,200 fpm
Max. Speed	354mph
Armament	2X 7.92mm MG17 2X 20mm MG FF cannon
Crew	1

Messerschmitt Bf110C-4

The Bf110 Zerstörer (destroyer) was a long-range fighter that first saw action in Poland and later Norway. When unopposed it met with some success in the invasion of France but it was completely outmatched by modern fighters and the disastrous losses of aircraft and crew enforced their withdrawal by the end of 1940.Eight Gruppen were deployed in the Battle of Britain to screen the bomber force The C-4 variant was equipped with an FuG 10 radio as a navigation aid as well as improved electrical systems and armament. Later in the war modified versions of the Bf110G had considerable success when equipped as night fighters, some fitted with Lichtenstein SN-2 search radar and a 13mm MG pointing upwards and forwards from the rear of the cockpit to attack bombers in their blind-spot known as "Schrägemusik".

Wingspan	53ft 4¼in
Length	341ft 7¼in
Laden Weight	14,881lb
Engine	2X1,100hp DB605B-1
Ceiling	32,810ft
Range	482 miles
Rate of Climb
Max. Speed	349mph
Armament	2X 20mm cannon 4X 7.92mm MG 17 1X 7.92mm MG81Z 1X 37mm cannon
Crew	2

Dornier Do17Z

The Do17 first flew in 1934 but though fast had limited civilian use. Redesigned as a schnellbomber it entered service with the Luftwaffe in 1935. Reconnaisance versions were also developed. The aircraft performed impressively in Spain, though against against inferior aircraft of the same vintage. The Do17Z was the most produced model and entered service in 1939. Deployed with Luftflotten 2 and 3 the Dornier was used extensively in the Battle of Britain but was found to be extemely vulnerable to Spitfires and Hurricanes. Losses were high and by the end of 1942 the Dornier gave way to the more powerful Do217 and was been withdrawn from front-line service.

Wingspan	62ft 4 in
Length	58ft 4½in
Max Weight	36,817lb
Engines	2X 1,550 BMW801MA
Ceiling	13,780ft
Range	1,335 miles
Max. Speed	348mph
Armament	2X 13mm M131 1X15mm cannon 5X 7.92 MG15
Bombload	4,409lb
Crew	5

Junkers Ju88A-4

As with the Dornier 17, the Ju88 was designed as a fast bomber entering service with the Luftwaffe in 1939. It made up eight Gruppen in Luftflotten 2, 3 and 5 in the bomber configuration and others in the reconnaisance role (Aufklärungsgruppen). While a fast and effective bomber the versatile Ju88 was also able to be deployed in a variety of roles from anti-shipping and mine laying to night fighter duties and remained in service throughout the war.

Wingspan	65ft 7¾in
Length	47ft 2¾in
Max Weight	30,864lb
Engines	2X 1,340hp JJ 211J-2
Ceiling	26,900ft
Range	1,106 miles
Max. Speed	292mph
Armament	4X 7.92mm MG81 2X 7.62mm MG81
Bombload	6,614lb
Crew	4

Heinkel He111H-3

The He111 was originally designed as a passenger aircraft. In the bomber variant the He111 entered service with the Lufwaffe in 1935 and served with Kampfgruppe 88 in Spain. It proved to be highly effective, albeit against inferior fighter oppostion. However, during the batttle for France and later in the Battle of Britain it faced modern fighters for the first time and its firepower was found to be insufficient with consequent disastrous losses of aircraft and crew.

Wingspan	74ft 1¾in
Length	53ft 9¾in
Max Weight	30,865lb
Engines	2X 1,100hpDB 601A
Ceiling	25,580ft
Range	1,212 miles
Max. Speed	252mph
Armament	1X20mm cannon; 1X13mm MG131; 4X7.9mm MG 81 2X7.9mm MG15
Bombload	4,409lb
Crew	5

Junkers Ju87B-2

The name Stuka is derived from 'Sturzkampfflugzeug', a dive-bomber. Early models of this aircraft entered service with the Luftwaffe in 1936. Later serving in Spain the Stuka gave impressive results for accurate bombing. The 'B' variant was more powerful and better armed. Unopposed, the Stuka became the embodiment of Blitzkrieg and it was not until Dunkirk that the weakneses were probed and exploited. During the Battle of Britain the Stukageschwader suffered horribly against Spitfires and Hurricanes with devastating losses. Most were withdrawn by August 1940.

Wingspan	49ft 2½in
Length	37ft 8in
Max Weight	14,550lb
Engines	1X 900hp JJ 211-P
Ceiling	26,250ft
Range	410 miles
Max. Speed	248mph
Armament	2X 20 MG151/20 cannon 2X 7.9mm MG 81
Bombload	5,070lbs
Crew	2