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Hawker Typhoon Mk Ib, the in-game model
1943United KingdomGround attack

Hawker Typhoon Mk Ib

The Hawker Typhoon was designed as an interceptor to replace the Hurricane, but it disappointed at high altitude. Down low, though, it was very fast, and with its four 20 mm cannon and eight rockets it became one of the most effective ground-attack aircraft of the war. In Normandy in 1944 it was the terror of German armoured units.

A troubled start

The Typhoon was designed around the 24-cylinder Napier Sabre, one of the most powerful engines of its time. Its early years were troubled: the engine was unreliable, exhaust fumes leaked into the cockpit, and there were fatal accidents in which the tail broke off in flight. Its thick wing caused problems at high altitude and in very fast dives.

At low altitude, though, the Typhoon was one of the RAF’s fastest aircraft. Its first big job was catching the Fw 190 fighter-bombers that made low-level hit-and-run raids on the south coast of England.

Hawker Typhoon Mk Ib, side view
Hawker Typhoon Mk Ib: the in-game model from the side.

Rocket Typhoons

From 1943 Typhoons carried eight RP-3 rockets under their wings. After the Normandy landings in 1944, Typhoons waiting in the air in the so-called “cab rank” could attack German tanks, lorries and guns within minutes of a call from the ground troops. In August 1944 they inflicted heavy losses on German columns retreating from the Falaise pocket.

In WarSimBox

In the game it sits in the attack line and fights with energy tactics: it is very fast down low and its four 20 mm cannon are powerful; with the eight RP-3 rockets that come with research it is deadly against ground targets. Its thick wing runs into compressibility early at high speed.

Unlocked in the aircraft tree after researching Ilyushin Il-2M3 (two-seat) and 100-octane fuel. Leads on to: Hawker Sea Fury FB.11.

Top speed
659 km/h · 3,500 m
Climb
15.1 m/s
Sustained turn
23.1 s
Stall speed
165 km/h

These figures come from the game’s flight model (climb, turn and stall at sea level).

Fly it in WarSimBox