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Aviation History
1940
1940 - 0747.PDF
MARCH 14, 1940 FIGHTERS Still More Power, Arma- i ment and Armour : 400 m.p.h. Attained : New Twin-Engined Designs IT is the purpose of fighters to deny tothe enemy the freedom of the sky. Toachieve this they must take various forms, for although all fighters must be faster, more manoeuvrable, and have a higher rate of climb than other types of military aircraft, their design is con- ditioned by operational requirements. By way of example, a fighter intended primarily for attacking short-range fighters will differ considerably from one designed for shooting down long-range bombers or from a type intended for escort. To clarify matters we may dividefighters into five arbitrary classes, as set out overleaf. It is not inferred that all these typesare considered necessary. The economy afforded by the adoption of general-pur-pose fighters has stimulated the design of machines which are compromises between(x). (2)< (3)' and (4). tQe finest examples now in service being our own SupermarineSpitfires and Hawker Hurricanes. These have a high performance, comparativelylong endurance, and heavy armament. (Right) A characteristic and symbolicpicture of Vickers Supermarine Spitfire eight-gun fighters, as used for HomeDefence, wheeling over the English countryside. Below is a new Flightphotograph of the Hawker Hurricane eight-gun fighter which, like the Spitfire,has achieved great: success.
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