The Hawker Hurricane stands as one of the most iconic British combat aircraft of the Second World War — the workhorse of the Battle of Britain, the desert campaigns, and the Eastern Front. This structured collection brings together seven essential Air Ministry and RCAF technical publications covering the Hurricane I, II, III, IV, XII and XIIA variants, from Pilot's Notes to full maintenance and spare parts documentation.
Definitive Collection with Free Lifetime Updates
This is a living collection that we continuously expand and refine. As we acquire additional Hurricane documentation, technical bulletins, or variant-specific materials, we update this collection and provide free lifetime updates to all purchasers. Your one-time purchase guarantees access to all future additions and improvements to this collection.
Historical Note
Designed by Sydney Camm and first flown in November 1935, the Hawker Hurricane was the RAF's first monoplane fighter and the first capable of exceeding 300 mph in level flight. Entering service in December 1937, it formed the backbone of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain in 1940, accounting for more enemy aircraft destroyed than all other British defences combined — air and ground. Powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin V12 engine in its early marks, the Hurricane evolved rapidly through the war years: the Mk I with its fabric-covered wings gave way to the metal-skinned Mk II series, which introduced the universal wing capable of carrying eight .303 machine guns, four 20mm Hispano cannons, bombs, or rocket projectiles. The Mk IV introduced a universal armament wing with additional armour, while the Sea Hurricane variants were adapted for catapult launch and carrier operations. The Canadian-built Mk XII and XIIA served with the RCAF and Commonwealth air forces, powered by the Packard-built Merlin XXIX engine. Over 14,500 Hurricanes were produced across the UK, Canada, and Yugoslavia, serving in every major theatre of the war. Today, fewer than 20 remain airworthy worldwide, making original technical documentation an irreplaceable resource for restoration teams and aviation historians alike.
Manuals Included in This Collection
- Hawker Hurricane I & II Aircraft — Schedule of Spare Parts Manual — A.P. 1564 — 1940
- Hawker Hurricane I Aircraft — Pilot's Notes Manual — A.P. 1564A — 1940 (Merlin II or III Engine)
- Hawker Hurricane I Aircraft — Manual — A.P. 1564A, Volume I — 1939 (Merlin II Engine)
- Hawker Hurricane IIA, IIB, IIC, IID & IV Aircraft — Pilot's Notes Manual — A.P. 1564B & D (Merlin XX Engine)
- Hawker Hurricane II Aircraft — Pilot's Notes Manual — 1940
- Hawker Hurricane II Aircraft — Maintenance Manual — A.P. 1564B, Volume I — February 1944 (amended to A.L. No. 38)
- Hawker Hurricane XII & XIIA Aircraft — Pilot's Notes Manual — C.A.P. 297, Vol. 2 — May 1943 (Packard Merlin XXIX Engine, RCAF)
This collection spans the full operational life of the Hurricane from pre-war service entry through wartime development, covering the principal British and Commonwealth variants from Mk I through Mk XII. Documentation ranges from 1939 to 1944, reflecting the rapid evolution of the type across the conflict.
Engineering Norms and Standards
Hurricane technical documentation was produced under Air Ministry authority and conforms to the Air Publication (A.P.) series standards governing all RAF aircraft of the period. The A.P. 1564 series covers the Hurricane specifically, with sub-designations for the airframe manual (A.P. 1564A), maintenance instructions (A.P. 1564B), and spare parts schedules (A.P. 1564). Pilot's Notes were issued as Air Ministry Pilot's Notes pamphlets, standardised across all RAF types for cockpit procedures, emergency drills, and performance data. The Canadian C.A.P. 297 series was issued by the RCAF for Commonwealth variants. Engineering modifications were controlled through Air Ministry Orders (AMOs) and manufacturer's Service Bulletins issued by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. The transition from fabric-covered to metal-stressed-skin wings was documented through formal modification states, with over 80 recorded modifications for the Sea Hurricane conversion programme alone. Structural and aerodynamic research was conducted by the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) at Farnborough and the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at Martlesham Heath and Boscombe Down.
Aerodynamic & Flight Test Data
Detailed aerodynamic evaluations of the Hurricane include the 1942 NACA report Measurements of the Flying Qualities of a Hawker Hurricane Airplane, covering stalling, sideslipping, and stability characteristics. A&AEE Martlesham Heath trials from 1939 documented performance with metal airscrews. RAE research identified airflow breakdown over the lower fuselage, leading to the design of the ventral fairing and rudder extension to improve spin recovery. Performance data by mark: Hurricane Mk I achieved 315 mph at 16,200 ft; the Mk IIC reached approximately 342 mph at 22,000 ft. The structural evolution from fabric-covered steel spars to duraluminium stressed-skin wings increased permissible diving speeds by 80 mph.
Engine Technical Notes — Rolls-Royce & Packard Merlin
The Hurricane was powered by successive marks of the Rolls-Royce Merlin V12. Technical notes cover the Merlin II, III, and XX engines, including take-off power ratings up to 1,300 b.h.p. and RPM limits for maximum climb and level flight. Operational limits specify coolant temperature maximums of 120°C and the use of Boost Override Control for emergency power bursts to +8 lbs or +16 lbs boost. The Canadian Mk XII and XIIA variants used the Packard-built Merlin XXIX, a licence-produced equivalent documented in the RCAF C.A.P. 297 series.
Specialized Documentation
For airworthy Hurricanes and active restoration projects, supplementary technical resources include: Sea Hurricane conversion documentation covering catapult spool and arrester hook installations (Addenda I and II of A.P. 1564B covering Sea Hurricane IIB, IIC, IID and Hurricane IV); STC and modification records for post-war engine and systems upgrades; and Service Bulletins relevant to flying examples maintained under permit-to-fly or CAA/EASA special category authorisations.
Where to Find Additional Documentation
Official Support: The National Archives (UK) holds original Air Ministry files and A&AEE trial reports. The RAF Museum Research Department is the primary repository for manufacturer-level technical descriptions and aircraft production records.
Historical Archives: The Hawker Hurricane Historical Society, the Shuttleworth Collection, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight maintain operational and technical records for flying examples. WWII Aircraft Performance (wwiiaircraftperformance.org) hosts digitised A&AEE trial reports.
Specialty Vendors: Online Aviation Library and similar specialist documentation providers offer curated collections of period Air Publications and Pilot's Notes for research and restoration use.
Format and Delivery
Instant digital download. All manuals are supplied as high-resolution PDF files, optimised for screen reading and print. Files are clearly named by document number and variant for easy reference. Compatible with all PDF readers on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
Disclaimer
These publications are provided for historical reference and research purposes only. For any airworthy aircraft, always consult the current Type Certificate holder and applicable airworthiness authority for approved maintenance data. Online Aviation Library makes no guarantee as to the completeness or currency of historical documentation for active maintenance use. All trade names and designations remain the property of their respective owners. Copyright © Sicuro Publishing.