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Sopwith Aviation Co. founded
The S.A.C. was founded by aviation enthusiast Thomas Sopwith with the intention of creating factory made aircraft. During WWI, the S.A.C. built more than 16,000 aircraft. -
The Sopwith Camel enters service on the Western Front
The Sopwith Camel entered squadron service with No. 4 Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service. By February 1918, 13 squadrons were equipped with the Camel. The Camel became one of the best-remembered Allied planes of the war, and helped prove the Allies' aerial prowess. Its manoeverability, speed (top speed being 115 mph) and firepower (two sychronised Vickers machine guns) all contributed to its success. -
H.G. Hawker Engineering founded
Upon liquidation of the Sopwith Aviation Company, Tommy Sopwith, Harry Hawker, Bill Eyre and Fred Sigrist bought the S.A.C.'s assests and formed H.G. Hawker Engineering. This was soon to become Hawker Aircraft. -
First Hawker aircraft created
The strangely designed Hawker Duiker was the first Hawker plane to be built. The Duiker was an all wood parasol wing monoplane with a Bristol Jupiter engine. Ony one plane was ever made. -
The Hawker Fury is created
The Fury was a biplane was a completely metal structure. Brought into use by the Royal Air Force in the early 1930s, the Fury was first flown March 25th 1931. The plane was the RAF's first plane to go faster than 200 m.p.h. and had very sensitive controls. -
Hawker Hurricane created
Hawker Hurricanes were monoplane aircraft, similar to the Supermarine Spitfire, with a metal skin and Rolls-Royce engine. Although they were often overshadowed by the latter, over 60% of RAF air victories in the Battle of Britain were won by Hurricanes. The Hurricane was widely exported around the world. -
Hawker's first jet aircraft
The Hawker Sea Hawk was the company's first jet, created for the Royal Navy. Built with it's sister company, Armstrong Whitworth, the jet had much success when exported. The Sea Hawk had a Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet, which could send the plane to its top speed- 599 m.p.h. -
The Hawker Hunter is created
The Hawker Hunter, a subsonic jet, was used widely around the world. It is still in active service with the Lebanese Air Force today. Along with many other Hawker jets, it had to carry an extra fuel tank as its main tank would not carry enough fuel to make longer journeys. -
Hawker Siddeley Harrier is created
Widely known as the 'Harrier Jump jet', the Harrier was the first fighter aircraft with vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL). The Harrier was heavily used in the Falklands war, where it demonstrated its many abilities, and is still in active service with foregin countries.
