List of Hawker Hurricane operators

This is a list of the Hawker Hurricane operators.

Operators

AUS

;Royal Australian Air Force
*No. 3 Squadron RAAF
*No. 450 Squadron RAAF (combined operations with No. 260 Squadron RAF) [ [http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11143.asp Australian War Memorial, 2008, "450 Squadron RAAF"] Retrieved on February 6, 2008. ]
*No. 451 Squadron RAAF

The above units served with the Desert Air Force in the Mediterranean Theatre. Only one Hurricane ("V7476") served in Australia. [ [http://www.adf-serials.com/2a60.shtml Darren Crick, 2005, "RAAF A60 Hawker Hurricane" (adf-serials.com) Retrieved on August 15, 2008. ] It was ex-RAF and was shipped to Australia from the Dutch East Indies in early 1942, just before the Allied defeat in Java. This Hurricane served with the following RAAF units:

*No. 1 Communications Flight RAAF
*No. 2 Communications Flight RAAF
*No. 2 Operational Training Unit RAAF
*Central Flying School RAAF

The Hurricane was retired in 1946 and is believed to have been scrapped.

BEL

Belgium bought 20 Hurricanes and a licence to build 80 more, of which only two were completed, with most of the aircraft being lost during the German invasion when they were bombed at the military airfield at Schaffen near Diest on 10 May 1940. Three aircraft transferred in 1946.;Belgian Air Force

flag|Canada|1921

Several Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons were equipped with Hurricanes, including 1 Squadron RCAF, which flew in the Battle of Britain.

;Royal Canadian Air Force
* No. 1 Squadron RCAF
* No. 2 Squadron RCAF
* No. 401 Squadron RCAF
* No. 402 Squadron RCAF
* No. 417 Squadron RCAF
* No. 421 Squadron RCAF
* No. 438 Squadron RCAF
* No. 439 Squadron RCAF
* No. 440 Squadron RCAF

CZS

;Czechoslovak Air Force on exile in Great Britain
*No. 310 Czech Fighter Squadron
*No. 312 Czech Fighter Squadron

flag|Egypt|1922

;Royal Egyptian Air Force

flagicon|France|free Free France

Hurricanes also joined the ranks of the "Forces Aériennes Françaises Libres" (FAFL), the Free French Air Force, fighting in North Africa between June 1940 and May 1943 . The Hurricanes, like all FAFL aircraft, sported the Cross of Lorraine on the fuselage, instead of the roundel in order to distinguish them from those aircraft flying for the Vichy French air force. These squadrons were generally formed within the RAF, so that "Groupe de Chasse Alsace" was known in British circles as No. 341 Squadron RAF

;Free French Air Force
*Escadrille de Chasse No. 1
*Escadrille de Chasse No. 2
*Groupe de Chasse II/3 'Alsace'
*French Aviation School, Meknes, Morocco

FIN

Finland bought 12 Mk I Hurricanes at the end of the Winter War, but lost two during the transit flight. The aircraft did not have much success (only 5½ kills). When hostilities began again on 25 June 1941, their use was quite limited, partially because they were worn out due to the scarcity of replacement parts available during the Interim Peace (13 March 1940- 25 June 1941) and subsequent combat flying. One Hurricane Mk IIB was captured from the Soviets during the war and flown by the Finnish Air Force.

;Finnish Air Force
*No. 10 Squadron, Finnish Air Force
*No. 22 Squadron, Finnish Air Force
*No. 26 Squadron, Finnish Air Force
*No. 28 Squadron, Finnish Air Force
*No. 30 Squadron, Finnish Air Force
*No. 32 Squadron, Finnish Air Force
*No. 34 Squadron, Finnish Air Force

flag|Germany|Nazi

The Luftwaffe operated some captured Hurricanes for training and education purposes. [Ryś. "Hawker Hurricane", p.158] ;Luftwaffe

flag|Greece|royal

;Royal Hellenic Air Force
*335th Fighter Squadron (No. 335 Squadron RAF)
*336th Fighter Squadron (No. 336 Squadron RAF)

=flagicon|India|British India=

;Royal Indian Air Force
*No.1 Squadron, IAF
*No.2 Squadron, IAF
*No.3 Squadron, IAF
*No.4 Squadron, IAF
*No.6 Squadron, IAF
*No.7 Squadron, IAF
*No.9 Squadron, IAF
*No.10 Squadron, IAF
*No.1 Service Flying and Training School, Ambala

flag|Iran|1925

First Hurricane (P3270) was delivered from RAF unit. Next 10 aircraft were left by No. 74 Squadron RAF in May 1943 when unit was sent to Egypt. Last 18 Hurricane IIC were delivered in 1946, two of them were rebuilt as two-seat trainers. [Ryś. "Hawker Hurricane", p.55] ;Imperial Iranian Air Force
*Advanced Fighter Training Group, DoshanTeppeh [Ryś. "Hawker Hurricane", p.55]

IRL

Some Hurricanes which either landed accidentally or force-landed in neutral Ireland were immediately impounded by the authorities, followed by their entry into service with the Irish Air Corps at Baldonnel. (The Irish would turn a "blind eye" as the pilot "escaped" across the border into Northern Ireland).

;Irish Air Corps

flag|Italy|1861-state

;"Regia Aeronautica"

JPN

Japanese soldiers captured at least two Hurricanes in Singapore. [Ryś. "Hawker Hurricane", p.171] ;Imperial Japanese Army Air Force
*Tachikawa GiKen tested Hurricane IIB Trop ("BE208").
*1 Chutai of the 64 Sentai tested Hurricane IIB Trop ("BM900") [Bridgwater & Scott 2001, p. 29.] .

NLD

Dutch East Indies [Bridgwater & Scott 2001, p. 62,65.]

NZL

New Zealand operated Hurricanes in 486 and 488 Squadrons. Following the fall of Singapore, 488 Squadron's Hurricanes were transferred to New Zealand home service, where some ended their days as airfield decoys. 486 Squadron was formed and operated as a nightfighter unit, operating in conjunction with a Turbinlite Flight, before re-equipping with the Typhoon and becoming a day fighter unit in September 1942.

;Royal New Zealand Air Force
*No. 486 Squadron RNZAF
*No. 488 Squadron RNZAF

NOR

;Royal Norwegian Air Force
*No. 331 Squadron Royal Norwegian Air Force
*No. 332 Squadron RAF

POL

First Hurricanes were bought by Poland in 1939 but were not delivered before 1 September 1939 and were sent to Turkey instead. Polish pilots could fly Hurricanes in Polish squadrons formed in Great Britain in 1940 and No. 302 and No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadrons took part during Battle of Britain. [Gretzyngier 2005]

;Polish Air Forces on exile in Great Britain
*No. 302 Polish Fighter Squadron "Poznański"
*No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron "Warszawski Dywizjon im. Tadeusza Kościuszki"
*No. 306 Polish Fighter Squadron "Toruński"
*No. 308 Polish Fighter Squadron "Krakowski"
*No. 309 Polish Army-Cooperation Squadron "Ziemi Czerwieńskiej"
*No. 315 Polish Fighter Squadron "Dębliński"
*No. 316 Polish Fighter Squadron "Warszawski"
*No. 317 Polish Fighter Squadron "Wileński"
*No. 318 Polish Fighter-Reconnaissance Squadron "Gdański"

POR

;Arma de Aeronautica
*Esquadrilhas BA 2 (Ota)
*Esquadrilhas BA 3 (Tancos)
*Lisbon Defense Squadron (Lisboa)

flag|Romania

Forţele Aeriene Regale ale României bought Hurricanes in 1939 and used them against Soviet Union on Eastern Front.

;Royal Romanian Air Force

flag|South Africa|1928

South African Air Force operated several squadrons of Hurricanes as part of the Desert Air Force, including 40 Squadron. [Franks 1999, p. 150.]

;South African Air Force
*1 Squadron SAAF
*2 Squadron SAAF
*3 Squadron SAAF
*7 Squadron SAAF
*40 Squadron SAAF
*41 Squadron SAAF
*43 Squadron SAAF
*11 OTU SAAF
*SAAF Central Flying School, Norton, South Rhodesia

USSR

Soviet Union received 2,952 aircraft of several variants [Bader 2004, p. 135-137.] due to Lend-Lease Act agreements. These aircraft served on all fronts. One Hurricane Mk IIB was captured from the Soviets during the war and flown by the Finnish Air Force.

;Soviet Naval Air Fleet
*72 IAP;Soviet Air Force
*78 IAP
*609 IAP

TUR

Turkey bought Hurricanes in 1939.

;Turkish Air Force

UK

The last Hurricanes were withdrawn from RAF first-line service in February 1947.

;Royal Air Force
*No. 1 Squadron RAF
*No. 3 Squadron RAF
*No. 5 Squadron RAF
*No. 6 Squadron RAF
*No. 11 Squadron RAF (SEAC)
*No. 17 Squadron RAF
*No. 20 Squadron RAF (SEAC)
*No. 27 Squadron RAF
*No. 28 Squadron RAF
*No. 29 Squadron RAF
*No. 30 Squadron RAF
*No. 32 Squadron RAF
*No. 33 Squadron RAF
*No. 34 Squadron RAF (SEAC)
*No. 42 Squadron RAF
*No. 43 Squadron RAF
*No. 46 Squadron RAF
*No. 56 Squadron RAF
*No. 60 Squadron RAF
*No. 63 Squadron RAF - (Bombardment spotting)
*No. 67 Squadron RAF
*No. 69 Squadron RAF
*No. 71 Squadron RAF
*No. 73 Squadron RAF
*No. 74 Squadron RAF
*No. 79 Squadron RAF
*No. 80 Squadron RAF
*No. 81 Squadron RAF
*No. 85 Squadron RAF
*No. 87 Squadron RAF
*No. 91 Squadron RAF
*No. 92 Squadron RAF
*No. 94 Squadron RAF
*No. 95 Squadron RAF
*No. 96 Squadron RAF
*No. 98 Squadron RAF - (Coastal patrol)
*No. 111 Squadron RAF
*No. 113 Squadron RAF
*No. 116 Squadron RAF
*No. 121 Squadron RAF
*No. 123 Squadron RAF
*No. 126 Squadron RAF
*No. 127 Squadron RAF
*No. 128 Squadron RAF
*No. 131 Squadron RAF
*No. 133 Squadron RAF
*No. 134 Squadron RAF
*No. 135 Squadron RAF
*No. 136 Squadron RAF
*No. 137 Squadron RAF
*No. 145 Squadron RAF
*No. 146 Squadron RAF
*No. 151 Squadron RAF
*No. 164 Squadron RAF
*No. 173 Squadron RAF - (Communications)
*No. 174 Squadron RAF
*No. 175 Squadron RAF
*No. 176 Squadron RAF
*No. 181 Squadron RAF
*No. 182 Squadron RAF
*No. 183 Squadron RAF
*No. 184 Squadron RAF
*No. 185 Squadron RAF
*No. 186 Squadron RAF
*No. 193 Squadron RAF
*No. 195 Squadron RAF
*No. 198 Squadron RAF
*No. 208 Squadron RAF
*No. 213 Squadron RAF
*No. 225 Squadron RAF
*No. 229 Squadron RAF
*No. 232 Squadron RAF
*No. 237 Squadron RAF
*No. 238 Squadron RAF
*No. 239 Squadron RAF
*No. 241 Squadron RAF
*No. 242 Squadron RAF
*No. 245 Squadron RAF
*No. 247 Squadron RAF
*No. 249 Squadron RAF
*No. 250 Squadron RAF
*No. 253 Squadron RAF
*No. 255 Squadron RAF
*No. 256 Squadron RAF
*No. 257 Squadron RAF
*No. 258 Squadron RAF
*No. 260 Squadron RAF - (Combined operations with No. 450 Squadron RAAF)
*No. 261 Squadron RAF
*No. 263 Squadron RAF
*No. 273 Squadron RAF
*No. 274 Squadron RAF
*No. 276 Squadron RAF
*No. 279 Squadron RAF
*No. 283 Squadron RAF
*No. 284 Squadron RAF - (Air-Sea Rescue)
*No. 285 Squadron RAF
*No. 286 Squadron RAF
*No. 287 Squadron RAF
*No. 288 Squadron RAF
*No. 289 Squadron RAF
*No. 290 Squadron RAF
*No. 291 Squadron RAF
*No. 501 Squadron RAF
*No. 504 Squadron RAF
*No. 516 Squadron RAF
*No. 518 Squadron RAF
*No. 520 Squadron RAF
*No. 521 Squadron RAF - (Meteorological)
*No. 527 Squadron RAF - (Calibration)
*No. 567 Squadron RAF
*No. 577 Squadron RAF
*No. 587 Squadron RAF
*No. 595 Squadron RAF
*No. 598 Squadron RAF
*No. 601 Squadron RAF
*No. 605 Squadron RAF
*No. 607 Squadron RAF
*No. 610 Squadron RAF
*No. 615 Squadron RAF
*No. 624 Squadron RAF
*No. 631 Squadron RAF
*No. 639 Squadron RAF
*No. 650 Squadron RAF
*No. 667 Squadron RAF
*No. 679 Squadron RAF
*No. 691 Squadron RAF
*No. 695 Squadron RAF
*No. 680 Squadron RAF
*No. 681 Squadron RAF
*No. 1432 Flight RAF
*Night Fighter Unit

;Fleet Air Arm
*No. 762 Squadron FAA
*No. 768 Squadron FAA
*No. 880 Squadron FAA
*No. 885 Squadron FAA

flagicon|Yugoslavia|kingdom Kingdom of Yugoslavia

Zmaj factory built 20 Hurricanes under licence [Ryś 2006, p. 54.] [Franks 1999, p. 150.] along with 24 examples delivered from Britain. After the war 16 aircraft used by SFR Yugoslav Air Force.;Yugoslav Squadrons in the RAF
*No. 351 Squadron RAF
*No. 352 Squadron RAF;Yugoslav Royal Air Force
*No. 51 Squadron,2 Lovacki Puk VVKJ
*No. 33 Squadron,4 Lovacki Puk VVKJ, Zamen
*No. 34 Squadron,4 Lovacki Puk VVKJ, Zamen;SFR Yugoslav Air Force
*2nd Yugoslav Fighter Sqn, 1st Fighter Aviation Regt, Zadar

References

Notes

Bibliography

* Birtles, Philip. "Hurricane Squadrons in Focus". Walton on Thames, Surrey, UK: Red Kite, 2003. ISBN 0-953806-15-4.
* Bridgwater, H.C. and Scott, Peter. "Combat Colours Number 4; Pearl Harbor and Beyond, December 1941 to May 1942". Luton, Bedfordshire, UK: Guideline Publications, 2001. ISBN 0-9539040-6-7.
* Franks, Richard A. "The Hawker Hurricane, a Comprehensive Guide for the Modeller (Modellers Datafile 2)". Bedford, UK: SAM Publications, 1999. ISBN 0-9533465-1-X.
* Ryś, Marek. "Hawker Hurricane". Sandomierz, Poland/Redbourn, Herts, UK: Mushroom Model Publications, 2006. ISBN 978-83-89450-32-6.
* Gretzyngier, Robert. "Polskie Skrzydła 4 - Hawker Hurricane, część 1". Sandomierz, Poland: Stratus 2005. ISBN 83-89450-37-2. (Polish)
* Wawrzyński, Mirosław. "Hurricane w obcej służbie - Hurricane in Foreign Service". Warsaw, Poland: AJaKS-Książki Militarne, 2001. ISBN 83-914521-0-7. (Polish with English summary)

ee also

aircontent
see also=
*Hawker Hurricane
*Hawker Hurricane variants