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Hurricane: The Plane That Saved Britain
The riveting exploits of a fighter aircraft – and an underrated aerial hero of the Second World War
The Hawker Hurricane was flying on the outbreak of war in 1939. Six years later, having saved Britain, it was still playing a major part in the war effort.
Widely remembered in its fighter role and unjustly left in the shade of the Spitfire, the Hurricane’s role was varied and as a fighter, fighter-bomber, anti-tank aircraft and used at sea. Nor was its theatre of operations any less it saw action in France from the beginning of the Phoney War to the outbreak of the Blitzkrieg, in the Battle of Britain, and then as far afield as Russia, Sumatra and Madagascar.
In this intensely readable, spirited and classic account, Adrian Stewart describes all the Hurricane’s roles, adventures and achievements. He recounts the exploits of the aircraft’s outstanding pilots who contributed so much towards mastery of the skies and eventual victory.
Perfect for readers of John Nichol’s Spitfire and Lancaster.
The Hawker Hurricane was flying on the outbreak of war in 1939. Six years later, having saved Britain, it was still playing a major part in the war effort.
Widely remembered in its fighter role and unjustly left in the shade of the Spitfire, the Hurricane’s role was varied and as a fighter, fighter-bomber, anti-tank aircraft and used at sea. Nor was its theatre of operations any less it saw action in France from the beginning of the Phoney War to the outbreak of the Blitzkrieg, in the Battle of Britain, and then as far afield as Russia, Sumatra and Madagascar.
In this intensely readable, spirited and classic account, Adrian Stewart describes all the Hurricane’s roles, adventures and achievements. He recounts the exploits of the aircraft’s outstanding pilots who contributed so much towards mastery of the skies and eventual victory.
Perfect for readers of John Nichol’s Spitfire and Lancaster.
- GenresAviation
422 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2021
61 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 20, 2025
Forget the Spitfire....
Never being a great lover of the Spitfire (The Mosquito is still my favourite warbird) I had the pleasure of seeing the only two seater Hurricane fly over me twice yesterday whilst fishing in Kent on its way both times to Duxford....
I like all schoolboys of 70 years with an interest in WW2 aviation knew some of the exploits of the Hurricane.... Bob Tuck being the first to turn me onto the Hurricane with the book Fly For Your Life.
I even had a childhood neighbour in the late 1960's who had been a Sgt Pilot flying Hurricanes during the war. I wish I could remember his name - His daughter was Terri 😁...and I knew about the Western Desert, Imphal and Kohima but, much of it's history and exploits outside of France, BoB and Malta were new to me. The explanation of how the different mk's came about and how and where they were employed was a joy to me.
Please Airfix, can we stop all the new models of Spitfires and introduce some decent Hawker Hurricane kits based on info from this and no doubt other books information?
Lov d reading this and will spur me
to look deeper into the Hawker Hurricane exploits in detail.
Never being a great lover of the Spitfire (The Mosquito is still my favourite warbird) I had the pleasure of seeing the only two seater Hurricane fly over me twice yesterday whilst fishing in Kent on its way both times to Duxford....
I like all schoolboys of 70 years with an interest in WW2 aviation knew some of the exploits of the Hurricane.... Bob Tuck being the first to turn me onto the Hurricane with the book Fly For Your Life.
I even had a childhood neighbour in the late 1960's who had been a Sgt Pilot flying Hurricanes during the war. I wish I could remember his name - His daughter was Terri 😁...and I knew about the Western Desert, Imphal and Kohima but, much of it's history and exploits outside of France, BoB and Malta were new to me. The explanation of how the different mk's came about and how and where they were employed was a joy to me.
Please Airfix, can we stop all the new models of Spitfires and introduce some decent Hawker Hurricane kits based on info from this and no doubt other books information?
Lov d reading this and will spur me
to look deeper into the Hawker Hurricane exploits in detail.
February 14, 2024
A fitting tribute to the Hurricane.
Stewart details the heroic efforts of the Hawker Hurricane and its pilots during the course of WW2 in this resounding celebration of the type's contributions.
More than anything, one garners a sense of the dependability, versatility and durability of the Hurricane. At times, Stewart would have you believe it single-handedly won the war by itself. There are also a few derisive comments about certain groups of people and nationalities which I found left a bad taste, hence the four rather than five stars.
Still, a must read for aviation enthusiasts - especially those who want to know the true role played by the British workhorse which so often gets overshadowed by the more glamorous Supermarine Spitfire.
Stewart details the heroic efforts of the Hawker Hurricane and its pilots during the course of WW2 in this resounding celebration of the type's contributions.
More than anything, one garners a sense of the dependability, versatility and durability of the Hurricane. At times, Stewart would have you believe it single-handedly won the war by itself. There are also a few derisive comments about certain groups of people and nationalities which I found left a bad taste, hence the four rather than five stars.
Still, a must read for aviation enthusiasts - especially those who want to know the true role played by the British workhorse which so often gets overshadowed by the more glamorous Supermarine Spitfire.
May 25, 2022
A valuable workhorse
This is a detailed account of the exploits of the Hawker Hurricane. During WW2 it turned up just about everywhere.
It was reliable and manoeuvrable and responsible, with the Spitfire, for the success of the Battle of Britain. It started off as a pure fighter but was adapted to tank buster and even bomber.
The is a book of non stop praise. The aircraft deserved it.
What disturbed me was the vast number of people killed both flying in it and caused by it.
Just about every page mentions a death.
The book is readable and I recommend it to anyone interested in WW2 air combat.
This is a detailed account of the exploits of the Hawker Hurricane. During WW2 it turned up just about everywhere.
It was reliable and manoeuvrable and responsible, with the Spitfire, for the success of the Battle of Britain. It started off as a pure fighter but was adapted to tank buster and even bomber.
The is a book of non stop praise. The aircraft deserved it.
What disturbed me was the vast number of people killed both flying in it and caused by it.
Just about every page mentions a death.
The book is readable and I recommend it to anyone interested in WW2 air combat.
June 3, 2022
The Hawker Hurricane is often seen as the poor relation to the Spitfire. But as this book explains not only was the Hurricane the decisive weapon of the Battle of Britain, it went on to serve with distinction in other theatres of WW2 – most notably as a ‘tank buster’ in North Africa and as a light bomber in the Far East.
If there’s a criticism here it’s that there’s sometimes a bit too much detail as the author ticks off individual squadron victories and losses. The Kindle edition also suffers a bit from OCR transcription errors.
Overall this is a fascinating look at the career of a remarkable aeroplane.
If there’s a criticism here it’s that there’s sometimes a bit too much detail as the author ticks off individual squadron victories and losses. The Kindle edition also suffers a bit from OCR transcription errors.
Overall this is a fascinating look at the career of a remarkable aeroplane.
February 24, 2022
Really informative look at the ‘unfortunate sister’ of the Spitfire, but what was really the workhorse of Fighter Command. What really stood out was the ruggedness of the aircraft & the fact that it kept so many of it’s pilots alive even when it was very badly damaged.
December 30, 2021
Very good, very readable account of the Hurricane’s vast accomplishments.
I am about to read about the MERLIN engine.
This book has certainly peeked my interest.
I am about to read about the MERLIN engine.
This book has certainly peeked my interest.
January 17, 2022
Super history
Probably the best historical publication I have read on WW II aviation. Detailed and explicit, I enjoyed every page. Well done and sincere congratulations.
Probably the best historical publication I have read on WW II aviation. Detailed and explicit, I enjoyed every page. Well done and sincere congratulations.
February 6, 2022
The fantastic hurricane
A fantastic account of undoubtedly one of the finest aircraft to serve throughout the second world war in so many theaters
A fantastic account of undoubtedly one of the finest aircraft to serve throughout the second world war in so many theaters
April 13, 2022
The Hurricane
A most interesting and readable history of the Hurricane in battle,easy reading covering all world war 2 theatres,recommended for National service erks.
A most interesting and readable history of the Hurricane in battle,easy reading covering all world war 2 theatres,recommended for National service erks.
June 24, 2025
Excellent read - a very good overall review of just how good the underrated Hurricane was…
August 11, 2025
a must read for Hurricane
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews